Graphic Design Schools in Los Angeles

Did You Know.The Art Institutes offer degree programs in animation, graphic design, game art & design, game programing and others at dozens of campuses across the US.

If you aren’t quite sure what the difference between a “top” graphic design school and a “best” graphic design school is, you’re not alone. Each year multiple “best schools” and “top schools” lists are published online, yet many of the same schools often end up on each list. What’s even more interesting is, the factors used to determine which schools should make either list are quite different. Further, the publishers of each list are quite the opposite too. Students, alumni, bloggers, and other similar groups usually create top lists, while best lists are typically published by organizations such as Princeton Review, Forbes, and U.S. News & World Report.

To determine which schools belong on the “best” list, factors such as the types of program offerings, graduation and retention rates, peer assessment, faculty resources (student-teacher ratio), financial resources, and student selectivity are considered. A top school makes the cut based on issues such as cost, convenience, career placement services, quality of facilities and equipment, number of recreational opportunities, and variety social clubs. Fortunately, the schools on the list below made both lists and they offer some of the greatest graphic design programs in the U.S.

Continue reading to find out which graphic design school programs made just about every “top schools” list and what they have to offer. Please note that the top graphic design schools listed below are in order by student population from largest to smallest.

Top Graphic Design School Programs Southern California

Northridge
California State University Northridge
Student Population: 29, 880
Backdrop: Urban, 356-acre campus, easy access to Los Angeles
Degrees Offered: B. A. Animation, Video/Digital art, Graphic Design, Illustration; M. A. Art, Studio Art Option with Video/Digital Art Concentration; Visual Communication Option with Illustration or Video/Digital Art Concentration; M. F. A. Art, Studio Art Option with Video/Digital Art Concentration; Visual Communication Option with Illustration, Video/Digital Art Concentration or Graphic Design Concentration

Long Beach
California State University Long Beach
Student Population: 27, 436
Backdrop: Suburban, 320-acre campus, easy access to Los Angeles
Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. in Art with Graphic Design or Illustration Option; M. F. A. Art with Concentration in Studio Art: - Graphic Design or Illustration/Animation Track

Los Angeles
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)
Student Population: 7, 500
Backdrop: Urban, 4-acre campus
Degrees Offered: A. A. in Digital Media, Graphic Design (Branding or Entertainment); many students go on to earn their B. S. degrees in Business Management

Loyola Marymount University
Student Population: 6, 069
Backdrop: Urban, 150-acre campus overlooking Los Angeles