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618 Best Public Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture Universities in the United States

Cornell University tops our list of 618 Public Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture universities in the United States at #13 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is followed by University of Chicago (QS World #13) and Duke University (QS World #26). The universities on this list offer 1,650 matching courses between them.

618 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
1Best overall
CU Cornell University logo
QS World #13 #6 in United States United States

Cornell University

Public University · 6 courses in Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture

All 6 courses →
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
Students
International
Admissions open
#13 QS World University Rankings 2026
#6 in United States
3Top pick
DU Duke University logo
QS World #26 #14 in United States United States

Duke University

Public University · 6 courses in Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture

All 6 courses →
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
Students
International
Admissions open
#26 QS World University Rankings 2026
#14 in United States
13Ranked
UM University of Minnesota-Twin Cities logo
QS World #203 #50 in United States Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Public University · 4 courses in Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture

USD 38,362/yrTuition (indicative)
Founded
31,855Students
International
Admissions open
#203 QS World University Rankings 2025
#50 in United States
17Ranked
UV University of Virginia, Charlottesville logo
QS World #275 #61 in United States United States

University of Virginia, Charlottesville

Public University · 8 courses in Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture

All 8 courses →
Tuition (indicative)
Founded
Students
International
Admissions open
#275 QS World University Rankings 2026
#61 in United States
19Ranked
UA University of Arizona logo
QS World #287 #69 in United States United States
#287 QS World University Rankings 2026
#69 in United States

How these universities are ranked

44 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #13 (Cornell University) to #593 (University of Central Florida); they are listed first, in that order. Below them, universities follow their research output: University of Washington is cited most (98,078,141 citations). 15 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Public, private and where they are

618 are public and 0 private (100% public). By location, New York (3), Massachusetts (3) and Texas (2) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is University of California, Berkeley, founded in 1868. Ohio State University-Main Campus is the largest, with 45,638 students.

Levels, lengths and start dates

Within the subject, the largest areas are Arts, Design & Architecture (1,581), Fine Arts (35), Multimedia Design (8) and Graphic Design (6). The usual length is 4 years and null. 98% are full-time and 23 can be studied online. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (100% of courses with a stated intake). Pratt Institute offers the widest choice, with 27 of these courses.

What it costs

We hold indicative fees for 21 of these universities. University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is the least expensive at USD 5,274 a year and University of California, Berkeley the most at USD 44,000; the middle of the range is about USD 19,531. Check each university's own fee page before you budget — figures change every year.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top universities for Public Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture in the United States?

Cornell University (QS World #13), University of Chicago (QS World #13) and Duke University (QS World #26) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university for Public Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture in the United States?

Of those with published fees, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is the least expensive at about USD 5,274 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.

How many public universities offer Public Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture in the United States?

618 public and 0 private universities are on this list.

How long does a Public Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture course take in the United States?

Most listed courses run 4 years, with null the next most common.

When do Public Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture courses start in the United States?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.

Can I study Public Bachelor's Arts, Design & Architecture online with a university in the United States?

23 of these courses are listed as online.

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