Masters in Design in USA is a 1-2 year postgraduate degree program that explores the practicalities and implementations of Designing. Apart from Master of Science (MS), other PG courses in Design in USA are Master of Professional Studies (MPS), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Arts (MA), and Master of Design (MDes), available in 90+ top universities in USA.
The tuition fee in the top universities for Masters in Design in USA ranges from USD 43,000 to USD 73,000 per year which is estimated to be INR 35.1 Lakhs to INR 59.6 Lakhs per annum. The average requirement from each applicant is a 4-year bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA (83-86%) from a recognized university. Aspirants must also possess a relevant prior work experience of at least 2-5 years as well as an updated portfolio of all the design related work.
Masters in Design in USA opens up a wide range of job opportunities with competitive salaries in various industries. Graduates can work as product designers, graphic designers, UX/UI designers, fashion designers, and more, earning an average salary of 84,000 USD (68 lakhs INR) which can go as high as 153,000 USD (1.25 crore INR). The top employers for design graduates in the USA include Apple, Amazon, Google, and Nike, among others
Masters in Design in USA: Highlights
| Courses Available | MS, MDes, MFS, MPS |
| Course Type | Full-time | Part-time |
| Program Duration | 1-2 Years |
| Degree Requirement | BA/BFA/BS from an accredited institution with a prior professional experience of at least 2-5 years |
| GPA | 3.0 out of 4.0 (83-86%) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | IELTS: 6.5 to 8 overall score | TOEFL iBT: 79 to 100 overall score |
| Annual Tuition Fees | USD 43,000 to USD 73,000 (INR 35.1 Lakhs to INR 59.6 Lakhs) |
| Annual Salary Range | USD 57,200 to USD 135,250 (INR 46.7 Lakhs to INR 1.1 Crore) |
Top Universities for Masters in Design in USA
The top universities for Masters in Design in USA are given below:
| University | Program | Application Deadlines | Tuition Fee per year (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parsons School of Design at the New School | MS: Design and Urban Ecology | MS: Strategic Design and Management | MS: Strategic Design for Global Leadership | 1 Feb 2023 (Closed) | 83,700 |
| Pratt Institute | MS: Packaging Identities, and Systems Design | MS: Urban Design | 5 Jan 2023 (Priority deadline. Applications are still accepted) | 68,000 | 49,400 |
| Art Center of Design | MS: Spatial Experience Design | Transportation Systems and Design | 15 Jan 2023 (Closed) (Applications Open: 1 Aug 2023) | 51,726 |
| Stanford University | MS in Design | 1 December, 2022 (applications closed) | 39,120 |
| Columbia University | MS: Advanced Architectural Design | MS: Architecture and Urban Design | 15 Jan 2023 (Closed) | 93,900 |
The following are some popular Masters program in Design in USA:
| University | Program | Application Deadlines | Tuition Fee per year (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parsons School of Design at the New School | MFA: Design and Technology | MFA: Fashion Design and Society | MPS: Fashion Management | 15 Dec 2023 | 56,400 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | MFA: Graphic Design | MID: Industrial Design | 5 Jan 2023 (Closed) | 58,700 |
| School of Art Institute of Chicago | MFA in Studio: Design for Emerging Technologies | 10 Jan 2023 (Closed) | 55,800 |
| Pratt Institute | MFA: Interior Design | 5 Jan 2023 (Priority deadline. Applications are still accepted) | 61,750 | 49,400 |
| Art Center of Design | MFA: Graphic Design | Media Design Practice | Transportation Systems and Design | 15 Jan 2023 (Closed) Applications Open: 1 Aug 2023 | 51,726 |
| Stanford University | MFA in Design | 1 Dec 2023 | 39,120 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | MA in Design | 15 Jan 2023 (Closed) | 43,000 |
| California Institute of Arts | MFA: Design | MDes: Interaction Design | 15 Jan 2023 (Closed) | 61,000 | 73,000 |
| School of Visual Arts | MFA: Design | MFA: Design for Social Innovation | MA: Design Research, Writing, and Criticism | 1 Oct 2023 | 54,900 |
Why study Masters in Design in USA?
Masters in Design in USA is a well-structured and well-planned program offered by several accredited institutions of the world. Here are some of the major reasons to pursue a Masters in Design in USA:-
- 3 top universities for Masters in Design in USA are ranked among the top 10 and 25+ universities are ranked among the top 100 universities of the world for Design as per the QS Rankings 2023.
- Graduates of Masters in Design in USA can earn an average salary of 84,000 USD (68 lakhs INR) which can go as high as 153,000 USD (1.25 crore INR)
- According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the number of jobs in arts and design fields is expected to rise by 2 percent between 2021 and 2031, which is a slower rate compared to all other occupations. Despite the slow growth, this increase is predicted to generate approximately 20,500 fresh employment opportunities during the decade.
- Apart from the newly created jobs due to growth, employment opportunities are also expected to emerge as workers permanently leave their occupations and need to be replaced. On average, around 94,500 vacancies per year are estimated to arise from both growth and replacement needs.
- The US Bureau of Labor Statistics also anticipates a 2.6% expansion in employment opportunities for graphic designers from 2021 to 2031. During this period, approximately 6,800 job openings are expected to become available.
Admissions to Masters in Design in USA
Universities accept admissions for Masters in Design in USA twice a year: fall and spring sessions. International candidates are advised to keep an eye on the application deadlines and apply at the earliest. The admission requirements vary with the university, still possessing a 4-year bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA from a recognized university is considered the threshold.
Masters in Design in USA: Eligibility Criteria
The following eligibility criteria is followed by a majority of universities for accepting admissions in Masters in Design in USA:
- BA/BFA/BS from an accredited institution
- Prior professional experience of at least 2-5 years
- 2 academic and 1 professional Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- A 500-750 word Statement of Purpose (SoP)
- Official transcript or certified copies of transcripts
- Updated Resume or CV
- Portfolio
- Personal Interview
- A valid passport
- US Student Visa
- Proof of English Proficiency:-
- IELTS: 6.5 to 8 overall score
- TOEFL iBT: 79 to 100 overall score
Also Read: US Student Visa
Masters in Design in USA: Admission Requirements
Here are the entry requirements for pursuing Masters in Design in USA:
| University | Bachelor’s Degree Requirements | English Language Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Parsons School of Design at the New School | Bachelor's degree in Arts or Design with at least 5 years of professional experience | IELTS: 7 (with at least 6.5 in each band) | TOEFL: 92 |
| Rhode Island School of Design | 4-years bachelor’s degree with at least 3.0 GPA from a recognized university | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 93 |
| School of Art Institute of Chicago | 4-years bachelor’s degree from a recognized university | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 85 (at least 21 in each section) |
| Pratt Institute | 3-years bachelor’s degree from a recognized university | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 79 |
| Art Center of Design | Bachelor’s degree in Arts or Design from a recognized university | IELTS: 7.5 (with at least 7 in each band) | TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section) |
| Stanford University | BA/BFA/BS from an accredited institution with at least 3 years of professional experience | TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section) |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Bachelor’s degree in Arts or Design from a recognized university with at least 2 years of professional experience | IELTS: 7.5 (with at least 7 in each band) | TOEFL: 102 (at least 25 in each section) |
| California Institute of Arts | BA/BFA/BS from an accredited institution | 3-years bachelor’s degree from India with grade A | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6 in each band) | TOEFL: 80 |
| School of Visual Arts | Bachelor’s degree in Arts or Design from a recognized university | IELTS: 8 (with at least 7.5 in each band) | TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section) |
| Columbia University | First bachelor’s degree, BArch, or March from a recognized university with at least 5 years of professional experience | IELTS: 7 (with at least 6.5 in each band) | TOEFL: 100 (at least 25 in each section) |
Masters in Design in USA: Costs
The total cost of pursuing Masters in Design in USA includes the tuition fee of universities and cost of living in USA. A detailed breakdown of the costs that an international student can expect to incur is provided below. It is always preferable to be aware of the costs involved and optimise the budget ahead of time to ensure a smooth experience.
Masters in Design in USA: Tuition Fee
The average tuition costs for pursuing Masters in Design in USA fall between USD 43,000 and USD 73,000 or INR 35.1 Lakhs and INR 59.6 Lakhs. The university-wise tuition fee distribution for Masters in Design in USA is given below:
| University | Tuition Fee per year (USD) | Tuition Fee per year (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Parsons School of Design at the New School | 56,400 | 46 lakhs |
| Rhode Island School of Design | 58,700 | 48 Lakhs |
| School of Art Institute of Chicago | 55,800 | 45.6 Lakhs |
| Pratt Institute | 61,750 | 50.5 Lakhs |
| Art Center of Design | 51,726 | 42 lakhs |
| Stanford University | 39,120 | 32 lakhs |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 43,000 | 35.1 Lakhs |
| California Institute of Arts | 61,000 | 49.8 Lakhs |
| School of Visual Arts | 54,900 | 44.9 Lakhs |
Cost of Living in USA
USA is the most popular as well as the costliest study abroad destination for MS in Electrical Engineering in USA as well as other programs. This corresponds to the quality of education, safety, ambiance, and health services offered by the country. The following table shows the average expense and the cost of living in USA for international students:
| Expense Type | Cost Per Month (USD) | Monthly Cost Equivalent (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus Accommodation | 2,450 to 2,775 | 1.99 to 2.26 Lakhs |
| Books and stationary | 500 to 1,000 | 40,600 to 81,300 |
| Food | 2,500 | 2 Lakhs |
| Clothes | 500 | 40,600 |
| Public Transport | 500 to 1,200 | 40,600 to 97,600 |
| Miscellaneous | 2,000 | 1.63 Lakhs |
Masters in Design in USA: Scholarships
Students who find the cost of studying Masters in Design in USA unaffordable may look out for university scholarships and grant options in order to fund their scholarships. Following is the list of some of the popular scholarships in USA available for Masters in Design in USA:-
| Scholarship | University | Eligibility | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pratt Restricted Awards and Scholarship | Pratt Institute | Full-time students with academic excellence having financial needs | USD 100 to 1,000 |
| Teknik Student Loans | Carnegie Mellon University | Individuals with at least 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA having financial need | USD 2,500 t 5,000 |
| Visionary Practice Scholarship | California Institute of Arts | US graduate applicants who have completed FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) | Up to USD 26,000 per year |
| SVA Matching Outside Scholarship | School of Visual Arts | Full time students with academic excellence having financial needs | Up to 2,500 per year |
| Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships | US Government | Citizen of a country with Rotary clubs | 2 years of college course work or equivalent | Up to 25,000 USD |
| Fulbright Scholarships for Indians | US Government | Indian citizen | Academic excellence | English proficiency | Monthly stipend, Tuition and cost of attendance coverage |
| Inlaks Scholarship | US Government | Indian citizen | Minimum 65-75% marks | 100,000 USD |
| AAUW International Fellowship | US Government | Non US based women pursuing master’s and doctoral programs in USA | 20,000-50,000 USD |
| JN Tata Endowment Fund (loan) | US Government | Indian citizens | Bachelor’s degree | Minimum 60% marks | 1,00,000-10,00,000 INR |
Masters in Design in USA: Placements
Masters in Design in USA offers a number of job opportunities such that they can earn an annual salary ranging from USD 57,200 to USD 135,250, equivalent to INR 46.7 Lakhs to INR 1.1 Crore. Some of the popular job profiles available after Masters in Design in USA are given in the following table along with their corresponding payouts:
| Job Profile | Annual Salary (USD) | Equivalent Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Designer | 57,200 | 46.7 Lakhs |
| Industrial Designer | 71,000 | 58 Lakhs |
| UX Designer | 85,500 | 69.9 Lakhs |
| Creative Researcher | 103,600 | 84.6 Lakhs |
| Product Designer | 106,400 | 86.9 Lakhs |
| Senior Product Designer | 135,250 | 1.1 Crore |
| Graphic Designer | 44,700 | 36.6 lakhs |
| Landscape Designer | 58,900 | 48.3 lakhs |
| Design Manager | 114,800 | 94 lakhs |
Masters in Design in USA: Return on Investment
Apart from high tuition fees and high cost of living, Masters in Design in USA is accompanied by a high return on investment. The following table
shows the university-specific average salaries bagged by MS in Design graduates:-
| University | Tuition Fee per year (USD) | Graduate Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Parsons School of Design at the New School | 56,400 | 72,000 |
| School of Art Institute of Chicago | 55,800 | 63,000 |
| Pratt Institute | 49,400 | 69,000 |
| Art Center of Design | 51,726 | 86,000 |
| Stanford University | 39,120 | 113,000 |
| California Institute of Arts | 61,000 | 73,000 |
| School of Visual Arts | 54,900 | 79,000 |
Masters in Design in USA vs Masters in Design in the UK
A contrast between MS in Design offered by the topmost study abroad destinations: USA and UK is tabulated as follows:-
| Particulars | Masters in Design in USA | MS in Design in the UK |
|---|---|---|
| Degree Requirement | BA/BFA/BS from an accredited institution Prior professional experience of at least 2-5 years | 2:1 honour’s degree in Arts or Design with at least 50% aggregate from a recognized university |
| Duration | 1-2 Years | 1-2 Years |
| ELP Score | IELTS: 6.5 to 8 overall score | TOEFL iBT: 79 to 100 overall score | IELTS: 5.5 to 6.5 overall score |
| Annual Tuition Fees | USD 43,000 to USD 73,000 (INR 35.1 Lakhs to INR 59.6 Lakhs) | GBP 16,500 to GBP 19,000 (INR 16.2 Lakhs to 18.7 Lakhs) |
| Graduate Salary | USD 57,200 to USD 135,250 (INR 46.7 Lakhs to INR 1.1 Crore) | GBP 34,000 (INR 33.41 Lakhs) |
Masters in Design in USA is a beneficial program for candidates willing to pursue a career in the fields of Graphic Design, Media Design Practice, Transportation Systems and Design, etc. A hike of around 3% is expected in the career opportunities for MS in Design graduates in USA in the next 5 years.
FAQs
Ques1. What will I learn while pursuing Masters in Design in USA?
Ans. While studying for Masters in Design in USA, an individual flourishes in the following disciplines:-
- Craft
- Textile
- Media
- Lifestyle Products
- Graphics
- User Experience Design, etc.
Ques2. Which country is best for studying MS in Design?
Ans. The following are the popular study-abroad destinations for pursuing MS in Design:
- USA
- UK
- Italy
- Australia
- Nordic Countries (Denmark, Finland, and Sweden)
Ques3. What can I do after Masters in Design in USA?
Ans. the completion of an Masters in Design in USA allows one to immediately pursue a career in Designing. Some of the popular job titles are:-
- UI/UX Designer
- Product Designer
- Industrial Designer
- Design Manager
- Interior Designer
- Fashion Designer
Ques4. Is prior experience required for pursuing Masters in Design in USA?
Ans. The application criteria for a majority of universities in USA offering MS in Design includes the possession of a relevant prior experience of 2-5 years or more by the candidate in the design industry.
Ques5. What are the top design schools for Masters in Design in USA?
Ans. Some of the top design institutions for pursuing an Masters in Design in USA are:
- Parsons School of Design at the New School
- Rhode Island School of Design
- School of Art Institute of Chicago
- Pratt Institute
- Stanford University
1605947041.png?tr=w-305,h-145,c-force?h=175&w=350&mode=stretch)
Comments