Here are some tips for selecting schools, based on an analysis comparing each school to all others across dozens of factors:
Schools Concentrating On Graphic Designers
- Focus: For schools with a focus on this career area, look at Santa Monica College, Fashion Institute, Pasadena City College, and Berkeley City College.
Fastest Response From Schools
- Request Info: For the fastest information for prospective students, look at the Spotlight schools on this page.
Student Body
- Part-Time: For schools emphasizing part-time studies, consider Mt Sierra College, Bethesda Christian, Cal State Pomona, and San Jose State.
- Female: For schools particularly welcoming to female students, consider Fashion Institute, Fashion Institute, and LA College International.
- Diverse: For a diverse student body, consider Rio Hondo College, Cal State Pomona, UC Irvine, and San Jose State.
- Adult Learners: For lots of adult learners, consider Palo Verde College, Lake Tahoe Community College, Mendocino College, and Lassen Community College.
School Setting
- Out of State: For geographic diversity, take note of LA College International, San Francisco Art Institute, California Institute of the Arts, and Academy of Art.
- Dorms: For a residential campus environment, take note of Pacific Union College, Point Loma Nazarene University, Notre Dame de Namur University, and Loyola Marymount.
Excellence
- SAT: For students with high SAT scores, look at Southern Cal, UCLA, Chapman, and Cal Poly.
- % Accepted: For selective institutions, look at UCLA, Southern Cal, California Institute of the Arts, and Cal Poly.
- Class Size: For small class sizes, look at California Institute of the Arts, Pacific Union College, Cogswell Polytechnical, and Loyola Marymount.
Student/Alumnus Reviews of Schools for This Career and State
Sort Reviews By:Sorting by: • Show All Details • Hide All Details
Cal Poly Pomona • Pomona, CA
Studying Graphic Design, Art History (completion in 2010)
• 5/8/2011
"The school was pretty good at providing me with the education I needed. However, there were problems with the funding cuts we had to face. It could have been better if we had the funding the other departments had."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | Again, this school was pretty good. The main problem was funding issues. If a person can plan a flowchart of classes for each year and stay organized, they can get a good education without too much problem. They also have to be motivated! |
| Program Reputation | 7 | We are known for our ENV college, however not so much for fine arts. However, the GD major is somewhat well known. |
| Program Quality | 7 | Cal Poly is a good school. However, there were major cuts to funding for the program while I went, so it was harder to get the classes I needed in order to graduate. |
| Instruction | 8 | Many of the professors are good. They all consistently gave a lot of work that challenged me. |
| How Difficult | 7 | Like I said before, many of the professors gave challenging assignments. However, they were also fun and mostly enjoyable to do. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | As an art major, the majority of our work is hands on. Either on the computer or physically with a pen or paint brush. Most of the courses were studio classes, meaning we had to create by hand. Thank the Bauhaus for that! | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | The school has been cutting funding for the art department. Basically that meant cutting availability of classes and professors. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | They added more computer labs to the library while I attended. This was very useful for when I did not have my laptop with me. Advisors were always available. Classroom space was always an issue because it was hard to get the classes we needed due to funding cuts. |
| Social Life | 5 | I did not pay much attention to school spirit and did not attend many social events. However, I did attend many of the art gallery receptions which I enjoyed. |
| Placement Services | 6 | The faculty gives out emails for possible internships. That is about it for assistance with job placement. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | There is not much support from alumni from my experience attending the school. I might have seen a few emails from them but not much hands on. |
California State University, San Bernardino • San Bernardino, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2010)
• 5/4/2011
"My degree has helped me find jobs. I just wish I had had better instruction and advisors."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | Only after I warn them about certain things. My school was very cheap in comparison to others. It's also a very calm and uncrowded place to study, which is good. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I really don't know. I've never had an potential employer point that out. |
| Program Quality | 3 | Technical training isn't provided. It seemed like teachers were more about just being critics than instructors. |
| Instruction | 4 | We were given lists of what kinda of jobs we could have and some lectures by people in our field but honestly neither was very helpful. The lectures were interesting at least. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Difficult because it's all on the quarter system so there's less time to learn a lot. Graphic design projects were rarely too difficult as long as you followed the rules. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I had a geology class that had a hike to the San Andreas fault. My art history classes required trips to art museums. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | One of my required classes was only once a quarter. I missed my chance to take it and had to postpone my graduation by a year. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | I never had a problem finding a tutor for math. I never had any trouble scheduling time with a professor. Library is huge and rarely crowded. |
| Social Life | 5 | I'm not very social. I never sought it out. |
| Placement Services | 5 | There are rarely any job posts for graphic designers. A lot of job posts for other jobs though. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I didn't join in because I didn't want to pay for it. Too in debt for that. |
UC Davis • Davis, CA
Studying Design (completion in 2001)
• 7/7/2011
"I had a good experience at my school and felt it was time well spent. While I did not choose the right major at first, the academic counseling program helped me find a program that was best suited to my skills."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | UC Davis provided a strong program in design which help provide a strong foundation for my career. The skills I learned during my time there have helped me find and keep jobs. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | UC Davis is known more for being an agricultural school. I would rank their graphic design program as adequate. |
| Program Quality | 9 | UC Davis's program was thorough and taught me the skills I needed to succeed as a designer. It provided both theoretical and practical skills that I still use. |
| Instruction | 8 | Professors were excited about our work and still passionate about the field. The skills taught were relevant. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Academically, design was not as challenging as my previous major, Biotechnology. However, that is probably because I enjoyed graphic design much more. The workload was reasonable. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | In the design program, most classes are hands-on after completing your pre-requisites. Books were used to supplement the hands-on learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | Most classes in my program were only offered during the regular hours during the school year. Summer courses were generally for pre-requisites. I did not look into weekend or night courses. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Our program had a good number of computer labs dedicated to our program. Computers and software were comparable to what was being used in professional offices at the time. |
| Social Life | 9 | Davis is a big school based in a small town, so school spirit was always high. Athletics at the school always drew huge crowds. |
| Placement Services | 7 | Internships were easy to obtain using the school's career center. When it came to finding a real career, I found my first job through craigslist. However, the school did provide networking opportunities to meet professionals in the field. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | As far as I know, the alumni network is good. I still receive mail from the Alumni Association, but I have not made use of it personally. |
Long Beach State University • Long Beach, CA
Studying Illustration (completion in 2005)
• 7/7/2011
"I learned what I needed to learn. I accomplished what I needed to accomplish."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a fantastic school with a great program and beautiful setting. It really is the perfect college experience. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | They are still the best when it comes to illustration. If anything, the classes, teachers, and networking opportunities have gotten better. |
| Program Quality | 10 | It was a perfect school for illustration. The environment and classes are great for learning graphic design. |
| Instruction | 10 | The teachers were in depth with the topics discussed. Assignments were relevant towards my goals. |
| How Difficult | 10 | It was a test every single day. Assignments were difficult and needed to be done in a limited amount of time |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Everything in my program was hands on. Books were used only for reference. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | It's just like any other college. Most classes required dedicated work that needed to be done in a specific class/lab. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The classes are good enough for the work that we did. Not new, not old, just right. |
| Social Life | 10 | Given the surrounding area, the social experience was wonderful. Great location in a small beach town with college students is bound to lead to fun. |
| Placement Services | 5 | They weren't very helpful with this. The best they could do while I was in attendance was to inspire us to go out to find jobs. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | They keep in touch well enough. The support while at the school was decent. |
Cal State San Bernardino • San Bernardino, CA
Studying Graphic Design Emphasis/Studio Arts Degree (completion in 2009)
• 7/7/2011
"Zero support. No network. Just lacked that "College" feeling."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | The CSU system is becoming increasingly out-of-reach financially, and I don't feel the education I received is worth the amount of money it costs now. If the social structure was there, I might change my mind, but as it is, CSUSB is a very strange place. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | It has a lot of buzz surrounding it and some "famous" alumni. I don't see the appeal, though. |
| Program Quality | 4 | CSUSB is complicated. They have beautiful facilities but a terrible faculty and no networking amongst artists. |
| Instruction | 4 | Again, terrible full-time faculty in my major. Students in other majors seemed to like their instructors, though. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I can't really compare it to other schools because I only went there. It kept me busy, though. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Graphic design was more hands on, with some mix of videos or grabbing examples/inspiration from the web, and we never used a textbook. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | One section per class. No alternatives. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | Great new building, new equipment, new Macs, everything is clean. Awesome facilities. |
| Social Life | 3 | No unity. No sense of network or events on campus. It's a very strange place. |
| Placement Services | 1 | Zero job placement. Zero support. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | No networking. Zero. |
California State University, Fullerton • Fullerton, CA
Studying Communications/ Viual Arts Emphasis (completion in 2011)
• 7/10/2011
"I was in love with CSUF years before they accepted me. I fit right in. The program, staff members, and instructors were all great. They loved and cared about me as a person. I think that is what makes the school wonderful for me. But the campus is awesome and the girls were the hottest!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | We have two graphic design programs: One in the art department and one in the department of communications. Both are excellent programs. They offer top-of-the-line equipment that is updated every year. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | Our communications program is ranked in the top 10 in the nation. It's hard to get accepted into CSUF. It's even harder to get accepted into their graduate program. |
| Program Quality | 10 | My instructors all had master's degrees. I considered them friends of mine. They wrote text books about graphic designing and taught me well. They taught me how to make money in the field even when I'm not employed. Plus, one professor hired me as his teaching assistant for a semester. |
| Instruction | 10 | We used top-of-the-line Macintosh computers with the latest versions of Adobe Creative Suite. Computer labs were open until 10pm so I had a lot of time to practice the craft. My teachers were expert graphic designers who taught well and encouraged me to read every book I saw about graphic designing. |
| How Difficult | 9 | After my teachers taught me how to use the software programs, and after I practiced, the program wasn't so bad. But the tests were hard. We would have to replicate a design - like an ad or website - but have a certain amount of time to complete the challenge. Sometimes I would be just getting into the flow of the project and the time would be up. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was definitely a mix. My professor's would post all the assignments on the web, lecture about art and theories, and then tell us to check out books from the library and read them all. We would share what we read in class. If you didn't study the book material, you wouldn't know the cool graphic design and web development moves. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | My school is going through a lot of budget cuts; therefore, classes are being cut. There aren't many classes to pick from. Since I didn't work as an undergrad, I took whatever classes were available. My school offers summer courses and late afternoon classes, but not a great variety. They offered one class during the summer and one evening class during the semester. I've seen good graphic design classes just disappear. For example, CSUF no longer offers the classic "desktop publishing" class. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | We have top notch facilities. There are dozens of computer labs on campus. There's one for writing, one for editing video footage, one for web designers, and one for graphic designing. The lab instructors are always talented students or staff members. I was trained on the most up-to-date computers and software available. I was able to save my work on their computers' desktops and it would be there for me later in the semester. |
| Social Life | 10 | I made friends with everyone in the program. I was in the graphic design club and we all got along great. And I'm a black male in my thirties. I went to a very liberal school. |
| Placement Services | 7 | I think our job placement program could be better. Our counselors do bring recruiters to campus, critique our resumes and cover letters, and coach us on how to interview. I felt like I was still on my own. I had to search a while for that company where I fit in. A counselor or head-hunter didn't connect me with my employer. I found my present employer on my school's career center website. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | After graduation I went on several interviews with companies and my alumni were hiring managers that held the same degree as me. I also just transfered my membership in student organizations to professional organizations like hundreds of graduates before me did. So our network is very strong. |
Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising • Los Angeles, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2001)
• 7/10/2011
"I had a very good experience at FIDM. I felt they really prepared me with the basics so that I was ready to start working."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | FIDM was a a good school for graphic design because it is a very creative environment. When you go to school there, you know you will be learning everything you need to start a successful career. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I don't think that the graphic design program at FIDM has a bad wrap by any means, however the school is mostly known for it's fashion design program. I do think that FIDM is known overall as a place that prepares their students well for industry work. |
| Program Quality | 10 | FIDM did a great job preparing me for real work experiences. I feel like the courses required covered a broad spectrum of skills. |
| Instruction | 10 | The teachers were mainly working designers/art directors so they were in tune with how the industry works. Most of the assignments were very similar to real life projects. |
| How Difficult | 5 | Instructors gave ample time to complete projects, and there was always support if you needed it in the computer lab. It was more creative than cerebral which comes easier to me. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The school was very hands on. With graphic design you can read all the books you want, but when you actually learn stuff is when you are on the computer doing it. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | When I went to school there, I don't think they had weekend classes. However, I could take some of the general classes at the Orange County campus, which is closer to my home. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | FIDM had a great computer lab with MAC machines and large format printers. They was always a support technician on staff to help if we needed it. They had a great library with plenty of resources and a very nice campus. The teachers were usually on campus, but if not they were available by email. |
| Social Life | 5 | There were very nice people there, but not much in terms of spirit/athletics since it was a technical college. They did have quite a few clubs and social events. |
| Placement Services | 4 | They do have lifetime job placement which is a bonus, however I went to the career center to get help finding a job and was unsuccessful. I found one on my own. They do have a website where alumni can log in a view open positions. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | To this day I still receive emails about the Alumni Association. FIDM also prints and mails out newsletters with alumni profiles and events. |
UCLA • Los Angeles, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2008)
• 7/18/2011
"I liked it a lot. I think I may go back to change professions."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I am not a very creative person so I did not enjoy it. Someone who wants to learn graphic design would benefit from UCLA's programs, though. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | UCLA is a top ranked school. A lot of famous graphic designers graduated from it. |
| Program Quality | 5 | I didn't pay attention much. People were very helpful, though. |
| Instruction | 5 | My teachers were nice. I don't think they knew what they were doing, though. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It wasn't hard completing assignments. I am not a very creative person, though, so there were times when I struggled. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We did not use books very much. We mostly made things and worked on projects. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 2 | I had to be in class. It affected my grade if I wasn't. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Well funded school. There were very expensive facilities. |
| Social Life | 1 | People picked on me, mostly because I am a nerd. |
| Placement Services | 5 | Like I said before, I didn't use it. My friend's dad gave me a job. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I never used it. My dad's friend gave me a job. |
Otis College Of Art And Design • Los Angeles, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2014)
• 7/21/2011
"Just my overall experience there was great. I would recommend anyone to this school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Again, my experience there was great. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | A lot of successful designers have come out of this school. AndI sit here as one of them |
| Program Quality | 8 | I loved the school, but it was a pretty tough time for me since it took me a while to get back to school. |
| Instruction | 7 | Teachers were great and very willing to work with students and even spent more time with them after class. |
| How Difficult | 10 | Well, for me at least, it was very difficult. This was maybe because I waited so long to go back to school. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I like the hands on work better, and they switched things up so we all got a little of each. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I basically picked the days I wanted to go to school. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Very on point. |
| Social Life | 10 | I had a wonderful time. Everyone I met was very helpful and understanding. |
| Placement Services | 1 | I didn't use their job placement assistance. I knew what I wanted when I left. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The school offered plenty but I didn't pay much attention. |
UCSD Extension - Digital Arts Program • San Diego, CA
Studying Visual Communications (completion in 2007)
• 7/25/2011
"I'm glad I took the program because I'm working in the field now because of it, although it was way too expensive and I regret that choice."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I wouldn't recommend it because of the cost. I would encourage someone to finish their gen-eds at the city college level and get an Art BA in Design at a state college. It would have been far more cost effective. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I would say it is completely average. It has the prestige of UCSD associated with the name, but because the program will take anyone, I think the reputation is lower. |
| Program Quality | 6 | I felt the cost of the program out-weighed the value of the education. I felt I wasn't properly prepared for the work force. |
| Instruction | 7 | The program taught me how to use all the industry standard software, which was extremely important. Some of the classes we were required to take were lead by terrible instructors. |
| How Difficult | 5 | The work load wasn't terrible, and the academic challenge was about average. I would have liked to see more emphasis placed on classic design instruction. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We were all encouraged to learn-by-doing. We would be assigned fake clients to create pieces for. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | There were 2 program options. One was to finish the program in 1.5 years by going all day 4 days a week, while another would finish in 2 years by attending 2 nights a week and every other Saturday. Totally feasible for the working professional. |
| Academic Facilities | 3 | There were only rooms we were allowed to work in on our own equipment. There were no onsite resources provided to us. |
| Social Life | 1 | As a program for working professionals, there wasn't much of a social experience to be had with classmates. We all had our own lives to attend to. |
| Placement Services | 1 | None exists. There was no effort made on the part of the school staff to place myself or any of my classmates in jobs. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | Virtually no network exists. I occasionally get emails from the head of alumni about "jobs," but they are all extremely low paying or are for no pay at all. |
CSU Chico • Chico, CA
Studying Communication Design - Emphasis In Graphic Design (completion in 2006)
• 7/28/2011
"Great school for academics. But not only that, it is beautiful, with a creek flowing through the school and trees everywhere."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The teachers are very helpful and knowledgeable. They have been around for a long time and really know how to teach it. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | From what I heard, it was the best out of the surrounding colleges. I heard a lot of good things about my major. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The only thing I really had a hard time with was the portfolio exam. You put up your work from all your classes and either passed or failed. It was pretty hard to pass. |
| Instruction | 8 | I learned a lot that I was able to bring with me into my job. Pretty much everything I learned I was able to take with me. |
| How Difficult | 6 | I had a lot of labs so it was a bit difficult. I had photography labs, color labs, and also the portfolio. The portfolio was the hardest part; everything lead up to it. But, at the same time, I never felt too overloaded. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Lots of hands on. For my graphic design history class we had to pick a architect and, based on their designs, build a clock that that you could tell was from that architect. For photography we went on a field trip and took then and now photos of a lake. In my other graphic design class we made screen print t-shirts and business cards, which was very hands on. The portfolio is pretty much designed to showcase all your hands on learning. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | At the time I went, there weren't very many online options. There weren't any evening or weekend classes for my major. There were labs open during the weekends and evenings for us to work on projects. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Most computer labs were open to us after class. The photography one was, the graphic design work rooms were, and we could use the light desk after class hours. Teachers had good office hours. I really had no tutoring or group support though. |
| Social Life | 3 | I mostly just focused on my academics. I lived at home so I wasn't in the dorms. I went to a couple of organized events but not many. |
| Placement Services | 9 | I didn't really go to the school's job placement office. But there were plenty of job fairs and that is how I was able to get the job I have now. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I didn't really use any alumni support, so I really don't have an opinion about it. |
San Jose State University • San Jose, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2011)
• 7/26/2011
"I feel I received a great education at SJSU, as well as developed some amazing networking relationships while I was there. The program blends academic, conceptually driven design with real world application. If I could, I would have stayed longer to experience some of the new classes they are going to be offering in the next few years."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I feel SJSU has an amazing program that prepares its students to work as a professional in the industry. Also, the school is located in a place where it is surrounded by a vibrant design community where they can find many opportunities. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | At AIGA mixers, other professionals respond positively to the SJSU program. I frequently hear that they believe it to be a strong and extremely competitive program (acceptance requires 2 portfolio submissions). Graduates from the program are known as being strong at conceptual development. The program is ranked in Business Week's "60 Best Design Schools in the World." |
| Program Quality | 9 | I thought SJSU was a great program. I grew an incredible amount as a designer during their program and the knowledge they gave me has been so valuable so far in my career--things beyond straight design principles, like how to interact with clients. I only wish that we had covered more digitally based design and a little less print. I feel that would have prepared me a bit better for the direction in which graphic design is heading. |
| Instruction | 9 | As I said above, the curriculum the professors created was overall very good for preparing me for what I have encountered in my career so far. They emphasized not only strong fundamentals, but also concept development. Perhaps, and most importantly, they taught us how to interact with clients, manage projects, work in teams, present our work, and other elements that, to most, wouldn't seem like important parts of design, but are, in fact, crucial. Again, the only thing lacking was instruction in the mechanics of digital format design. We had to mostly teach ourselves how to use programs like Flash, Dreamweaver, and After Effects in our free time while working on projects that used them. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The program actually increased in difficulty as we moved forward through it, but it always felt difficult for the level of knowledge we had. At any given time there were at least two projects we were working on at once, usually with only a month to complete each. Usually there were bi-weekly critiques on our progress. In my final year, I also participated in sponsor projects, which created additional projects. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The program primarily involved "learn by doing." We were taught skills through activities and by what we picked up during projects. Books were primarily only used for reference. Professors would occasionally hold lectures on theory, and usually those topics were discussed during critiques. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | There is quite a bit of flexibility in class time options for the foundation classes, but once students are officially in the program, there are 2 classes that each student must take each semester, and only 1 time the class is offered. There are no summer/evening/online options for these classes. Elective classes are pretty flexible; there are many to choose from with a wide variety of times and topics. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | For students in the BFA program, there is a specific lab with attached print labs set aside for them. This lab is only accessible to the 50 people in the program, and it is available 24/7. There is no lab tech for these facilities; equipment and supplies are provided by the school, and operations are run by the students. There is also a general graphic design print lab that is for everyone in the department, but is only accessible 4 days a week. Students also have access to the Art workshops/equipment & reference library. Professors all have office hours and are very good at responding to emails. Some equipment is old and can be a struggle to use. |
| Social Life | 5 | SJSU is primarily a commuter school. Most people have to work to pay for school and don't have time to participate in other activities. In my program we had a club that organized social and fundraising events for members. These events were infrequent. |
| Placement Services | 6 | While there isn't anything official, the design professors are very good about emailing students and alumni about job opportunities. Also, during the last semester of the program, there is a class to help students prepare their resumes and portfolios, as well as visit studios/designers. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | SJSU's alumni are loosely connected through social media and a few professors. A couple of professors will email alumni about events or job opportunities, and the graduating class will invite alumni they can find the contact information for to an annual graduation exhibition, but outside of that, there isn't much alumni support. |
The Art Institute Of California-Los Angeles • Santa Monica, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2008)
• 7/27/2011
"It's an average school, although there are some good teachers there and I made some good friends as well. Overall, I will not recommend anyone going there for that kind of price."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | No I will certainly not recommend this school to anyone. I'd rather they attend a school where the teachers have teaching experiences, instead of professionals who don't know how to teach. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | I believe it just rates as an 'okay' school, not too much to shout about. It is also rather overpriced, if I may add. |
| Program Quality | 6 | We had teachers that were not trained to teach - they were mostly professionals who taught part-time. Also, some of them did not know how to use certain software, leaving most of us to learn on our own. |
| Instruction | 4 | Not all teachers were unable to teach, as some were very supportive and not biased - which was important to me. The rest were not helpful at all, they did not provide the students with constructive criticism. |
| How Difficult | 7 | It was tough because some teachers did not have experiences with certain design software, and some were just plain lazy and did not make an effort to create a better learning environment. It was also difficult to pass some classes because some teachers favored some students over others. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Not too much hands-on unfortunately, and it was mostly computer-based towards the end. It was interesting at the beginning when we had a lot of projects for package design, where you can use actual paper and other materials. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | The schedules overall were pretty flexible, with morning/afternoon/night classes as well as weekends. This is especially convenient for students who have day/weekend jobs. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The library is a bit small, however there are some pretty good resources in there. Classroom space is adequate, tutoring is also available, and so is academic support. |
| Social Life | 5 | Mostly the social events involve food, as there is a culinary arts program at the school as well. There's not so much in terms of parties and athletics, with it being an art school. |
| Placement Services | 7 | They were pretty helpful in the beginning, but after we graduated, they didn't offer too much help. Students are probably better off on their own. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | The support system is surprisingly not too bad. They have a lot of connections with professionals in the design field. They were quite helpful in the beginning as well. |
California State University, San Bernardino • San Bernardino, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2010)
• 8/8/2011
"The teachers were great and patient. The graphic design department was really nice and up-to-date. The class curriculum in most classes was sometimes questionable."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I didn't really care for my education. Going to a four year college for graphic design is not mandatory to get a decent design job. I'd say if you have the time and money then do it, but don't expect it to be a magical diploma that gets you a great job instantly. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | I'm not sure graphic design as Cal State San Bernardino has much of a reputation. Their fine arts museum is pretty awesome though |
| Program Quality | 5 | It wasn't very difficult. All assignments seemed subjective. Classes weren't based on the programs we would have to use. |
| Instruction | 5 | In my last graphic design class it was all based on your portfolio, but it went about it in a dumb way. I've actually never shown the print portfolio I created in school because employers say they've already seen the online portfolio. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Sometimes it was difficult, but mostly just because of deadlines. Art is so subjective that being graded seemed unnecessary. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | As a graphic design major we did a mix of both. We informed ourselves with books, but everything we created was hands on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | There were a lot of classes offered only once a year. One of those classes happened to be one that I needed in order to graduate and I had to wait almost a year in order to take it, delaying my graduation! |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | I loved going to the huge Pfau Library. It was cool being able to get lost amongst so many books. There's always a place to study. Computer resources were exceptional. Classroom space in most of my art classes was usually plentiful. |
| Social Life | 3 | Very laid back school - and I think that's great. It's a great place to study or even meditate. You can always find a quiet corner somewhere. People expecting uber social fraternities and sororities might be a little underwhelmed. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I've never used it. I've never heard any alums getting placed in jobs by their school after graduation. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | There's a job listing board that hardly ever gets any graphic design jobs. But there is seminars you can go to in order to better your job interview skills or job prospects. |
California College Of The Arts • San Francisco, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2007)
• 8/10/2011
"I am pretty happy overall. I had a good time learning the new skills and making new friends."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I think it is one of best schools in this field and has a great location. The staff is great. The teachers and students really bond which helps students to understand the subject very well. |
| Program Reputation | 9 | It is among the top 10 schools in the USA for graphic design studies. It is an excellent school with great teachers. |
| Program Quality | 7 | It is among the top ten schools for this program. Teachers were great. Overall, it had good infrastructure. |
| Instruction | 8 | Teachers are excellent. they have great ways to create interest in the subject. There's a highly supportive environment in the school. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It was not too bad. It was a very interactive way of learning. It was good for developing an attitude for becoming a successful graphic designer. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was very nice that we were able to do everything on our own in the practical sessions. This is very important for a designer. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | It is easy for any student to adjust the their class schedule with work or other interests. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | There is good technology available to aid in the classroom. Overall it is a well supported institution. |
| Social Life | 7 | We had good fun along with great studies. The school organizes a lot of fun events to for the students. |
| Placement Services | 8 | It is located in city that has lots of job opportunities available. So, job placement is high. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | The alumni network is good. They are very helpful and develop confidence in the subject. |
Pierce College • Woodland Hills, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2004)
• 8/29/2011
"Again, if some of my teachers were more interested in their courses, I think I would have learned more. The lack of interest on their part resulted in approximately 25% of the students actually taking their final exams."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I would recommend my other school, Glendale College, which had more enthusiasm and had many more electives to choose from. |
| Program Reputation | 4 | The school has a high transfer rate to CSUN, but most of the school's budget appears to go to their agriculture and equine programs. |
| Program Quality | 6 | I felt that I had learned more from another college I went to to earn two certificates. At the time, Pierce employed teachers that seemed rather bored with their jobs. |
| Instruction | 5 | I had one teacher that taught Photoshop straight from a book series by Adobe. He read from the textbooks in a monotonous tone and rarely demonstrated any of the material in it. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Graphic design concepts are not hard to learn. What poses more difficulty are the tools used, such as Photoshop and Illustrator. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I'd say it was a 50/50 mix of lab work and textbook work. Both are very necessary. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | The school offers online and night classes, but you have to hope that enough people enroll so that the course is not cancelled! |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The amenities in regards to computer labs were fair. I believe the school has expanded on this since I attended. |
| Social Life | 8 | The school is very active in sports events and art galleries. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I never sought this kind of assistance from the school. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I often look for my classmates on LinkedIn and I have found that many of them do not even mention Pierce College in their profiles, making it difficult to locate them. |
UC San Diego • La Jolla, CA
Studying Visual Arts (completion in 2002)
• 8/27/2011
"Again, I am satisfied with the school - great professors, some very challenging classes. There are always some downsides to a program, but this one is largely positive."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would recommend it to people who are more interested in the conceptual and artistic side of design. If you want to simply learn Photoshop and Illustrator, you probably should go elsewhere. If you want a challenging and creative environment that pushes you, and doesn't always emphasize practical skills, then this is a good place. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | It has one of the best visual arts programs in the country. In terms of graphic design, there is not much emphasis on it at the school. Again, conceptually an amazing program. Practically, not so much. |
| Program Quality | 9 | The school has a great Visual Arts program, conceptually speaking. Practically, there was not much instruction. So creatively it was a strong program, but job-skills wise, not so much. But that's ok with me. |
| Instruction | 9 | The professors ranged from boring to brilliant. However, overall I am quite happy. They all have stellar reputations in the art world, but again, they're not terribly strong on practical instruction. |
| How Difficult | 8 | This is a challenging program and many of the classes are quite demanding. However, as with any program you can find ways to skirt by. If you are committed to the work, then the work is hard. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The program seems to be equal parts theory and practice. I had many classes where the reading was very intense, but I also did quite a bit of design work while enrolled. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | This is a real university, demanding you to be on campus very frequently. Part-time students do exist, but there are no weekend classes. Some evening classes during the week do exist. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The school has a great art facility and superb media center. There are plenty of resources in terms of computers, libraries, etc. However, budget cuts do seem to be eating away at this a little bit. |
| Placement Services | 3 | I haven't pursued this option, although I'm sure it exists. I have not gone to the school's job placement center, thus I don't know if it can help me. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I get an alumni magazine and have friendships with former classmates that has led to work. However, overall the alumni network has not provided me with much benefit. I have to say, I haven't pursued it much either. |
California State University, Long Beach • Long Beach, CA
Studying Studio Art (completion in 2012)
• 9/11/2011
"I'm not satisfied for several reasons: 1) While Cal State Long Beach is ranked higher than the other Cal States, it still doesn't have the same prestige as UCLA, USC, or even UCI. 2) The quality of education for the tuition is dismal. 3) I wish they provided more services - such as extra shuttles."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | First I would assess their level of commitment to the profession. Then, I will tell them to find a job first while building their portfolio and go to school. That way, you can find out what you want to concentrate in at school. Otherwise, the student is just applying theory and not milking their education. If they're willing to drop $40k a year on Art Center it's worth it. However, if they don't make that much, CSULB is still a decent school to go to, especially since learning art doesn't give the same financial benefits in the end. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Cal State Long Beach has a good reputation for their art department compared to the other Cal States. If art schools are too expensive, Cal State Long Beach meets that need. |
| Program Quality | 4 | The program at the school is highly competitive and the funding has dropped so there's less education for more money. Overall, the cost-benefit of the profession along with the school is not worth it. Otherwise, the program at Cal State Long Beach is better than the other Cal States. |
| Instruction | 5 | I feel like a lot of what I learned was from working. The school is a good way to brush up on the skills... The most anyone can learn has to be from working first to get a realistic view of the profession. School provides theory but work provides reality to tackle the theories - without actual application the theories are worthless. |
| How Difficult | 8 | There is a lot to do when juggling a full-time job and a full-time major. Something has to slide as the classes can be demanding in terms of the amount of work that has to be invested in each class. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I like the mix that the school provides. It depends on the instructors too but the Graphic Design / Art programs provide a lot of hands-on learning while applying theory. It's a really good mix of both. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | Limited funding has forced the cancellation of a lot of class offerings. This makes it hard for working adults to go to school and work. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The school offers a vast computer lab, a good library, and all expected facilities. I wish the school offered computers for those in the Graphic Design program but overall, we have a really good computer lab. |
| Social Life | 4 | There are a lot of parties, good school spirit, and social events - I don't have time to attend those so my experience is very limited. There are also a lot fraternities and sororities. |
| Placement Services | 6 | The school provides information on job placement and career guidance which is good. However, for my particular major jobs are harder to come by. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | There's not really a network unless the student is invested in joining clubs. Otherwise, I feel like we are just another student - aimlessly floating from one place to the next. |
University Of California, Santa Barbara • Santa Barbara, CA
Studying Art (completion in 1999)
• 9/14/2011
"I was very satisfied with my school. The experiences I gained at this school have helped me a great deal in my career."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend this program to anyone interested in the field. You can learn a great deal and have ample opportunities to grow as a designer. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | The program I attended wasn't known for Graphic Design. It was mostly known for its Fine Arts program. |
| Program Quality | 8 | The school was very competitive, but there were many resources made available to all. |
| Instruction | 9 | The teaching staff was very creative and challenging. I had a great time on many projects. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I didn't find the program too difficult. I had many years of experience previous to schooling. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The hands-on aspect of the program was much greater than the book learning. This enabled me to learn more quickly. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | The school's flexibility in regards to schedule was comparable to other schools. The full-time student program was demanding. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The school's resources were many and easy to access. The facilities were state of the art. |
| Social Life | 7 | The social experience at the school was very enjoyable and also helped in networking opportunities. |
| Placement Services | 8 | The school's job placement and career services were very good. The alumni network helped a great deal with job placement as well. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | The school alumni network was very helping. I had no difficulty finding a work. |
University Of California, Berkeley • Berkeley, CA
Studying Computer Graphics (completion in 2010)
• 10/9/2011
"It was totally worth the money I put in. I'm very happy with how things turned out!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It's one of the best places in the world to be. If you have what it takes you'd be crazy to look anywhere else. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | It has been ranked number 1 in graphics by US News for more than 5 years now. |
| Program Quality | 10 | UC Berkeley is ranked number 1 in Graphics. Many top companies recruit from here. |
| Instruction | 10 | The school is home to really great professors. |
| How Difficult | 10 | It is very competitive to get in, they select only 6 per year for this program! |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We get a lot of assignments, so everything is hands-on. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Very flexible schedule. You choose what you want to study! |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | World class labs and great facilities. |
| Social Life | 10 | There are a lot of very smart people all around, every day is a learning experience! |
| Placement Services | 10 | Everyone had 2-3 job offers at the end of program. Tons of great career opportunities. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | It has a very strong alumni network, 40% of Pixar is UC Berkeley alum! |
University Of California, San Diego • La Jolla, CA
Studying Interdisciplinary Computing And The Arts, Visual Emphasis (completion in 2007)
• 10/10/2011
"The ICAM program was quite new when I went through it and didn't yet seem to have a well-developed curriculum. Students could fairly easily make their way all the way through the program without a strong idea of what their emphasis was or why they were pursuing the degree, and consequentially make it out of the program with a degree but without much in terms of direction or concrete skills."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | UCSD is a great school for the hard sciences. It is not a great arts school, and students interested in a fine arts degree should look elsewhere. |
| Program Reputation | 4 | The undergraduate program for Visual Art is not particularly distinguished. It does benefit a little from the reputation of the graduate program, which is known for being "experimental." But even the Master's is not a particularly well-regarded in the art world, and it certainly isn't very sought after by employers. |
| Program Quality | 3 | UCSD is a huge school with a lot of money, but most of the money is dedicated to its large and well-regarded Biology and Computer Science departments. The arts programs at UCSD are comparatively much smaller and don't have access to the same resources or teaching talent. |
| Instruction | 5 | Lecturers at UCSD are a mixed bag. Some are seasoned professionals with a lot to offer, and some are new to teaching but make up for with their enthusiasm. These are the good ones. Others are tenured faculty who would rather be working on their own art or research than lecturing, and it shows. |
| How Difficult | 4 | UCSD's ICAM VIS program is not very rigorous. Despite the imposition of a pre-major requirement in the mid-2000s, most students in this program can skate by with minimum effort and talent and earn at least a 3.0 GPA. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There's a good mix of hands-on and book learning in the UCSD arts courses. Lots of reading (art history and theory) and also a fair amount of personal instruction and work on the computer, along with some drafting by hand. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Because UCSD is so large, there is a large variety of class options available (evenings, online, summer). However those last few upper-division classes will still be offered just intermittently, have few openings, and be very hard to get into even for graduating seniors. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | The UCSD Geisel library is a great resource and has a huge arts section. The counselors and tutors for the arts are another matter. They are surly and overworked with inconvenient office hours. |
| Social Life | 6 | Again, because UCSD is so large, it does have a large number of clubs and sports teams available to join for social engagement. Some of the athletics teams are well-regarded, although there is no football team. Greek life is fairly laid back compared to some other schools, and no fraternity or sorority houses are allowed on the campus proper so that lifestyle is mostly relegated to the surrounding residential communities. |
| Placement Services | 2 | Career services for students graduating with a degree in fine arts are almost nonexistent at UCSD. The Art Institute of San Diego, which offers a much more vocational program, does a much better job of connecting students with internships and opportunities right out of their bachelor's program. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | The Visual Art alumni department is fairly well-organized and they have regular and well-publicized events. They also call alumni frequently to request money, which can be aggravating. Their career center does not have good leads on jobs in the design field. |
Cal Poly • Pomona, CA
Studying CIS (completion in 2007)
• 10/15/2011
"The school was pretty good overall. I learned enough to get a decent job and keep it so far. However, it is best to collaborate with other students to learn, rather than relying on professors."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It's a decent program and not too expensive for in-state tuition. If you have the grades and can afford to go somewhere better known, that might be a better idea. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | Most people don't recognize Cal Poly outside the immediate area. However, students there seem to think CIS is a decent major. |
| Program Quality | 6 | Most classes were helpful and well-taught. A few classes were redundant or disorganized. |
| Instruction | 6 | I learned a lot, but more from other students than from professors. Classes tended not to deviate much from the text. |
| How Difficult | 5 | I didn't have much difficulty with the program. I graduated with a 3.5 GPA while working holding down a job. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most professors just read from the book. Most of what I use in my work was learned on the job or from friends and classmates. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Condensed classes in the summer are great for catching up. I took a lot of night classes as well, which I enjoyed. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | Facilities were pretty good. Computers were relatively new and the on-campus internet was pretty fast. Library has good Wi-Fi. |
| Social Life | 5 | I had no social experiences at school. Most students live off campus and I don't remember seeing any parties. There aren't any well-known sports teams. |
| Placement Services | 6 | Cal Poly organizes job fairs, but none of the attendees I ever saw has anything to do with graphic design. The career center has a lot of services, but I didn't use them. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | Not sure about the alumni network, I've never used it. |
San Diego State University • San Diego, CA
Studying Major: Graphic Design. Program: Art (completion in 1999)
• 10/20/2011
"I learned a lot. I was very satisfied with the practical application I got from all of my classes. It helped when I got out to the real world."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | If they have progressed with the times and have kept up with what graphic design has evolved to include (i.e., animation, web design), then yes, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend SDSU. |
| Program Reputation | I really have no idea about the current reputation. I haven't kept up with SDSU. | |
| Program Quality | 9 | It was a hands on program which I really liked. We not only learned how to operate the computer software and programs that are used to create a variety of artwork, but we were also taught how to use the tools, types of paper, cameras, and a host of other art supplies to complete, for example, a magazine cover without any help from a computer. The university also offered an internship as part of the curriculum which helped get your foot in the door once you graduated. There were also classes offered by professionals with their own graphic design businesses. Very hands on. |
| Instruction | 9 | As I stated before, some classes were taught by professionals in the field. We were taught how to present a design, explain what it was what the client needed, and all the steps in between, from the first draft to the last, clean, final draft. And again, the program offered an internship for those who wanted to participate. I did not participate. However, I did learn a great deal from the curriculum that helped once I started working with actual clients as a professional. |
| How Difficult | 8 | Overall, the curriculum was challenging. For me the design classes were not difficult, but they were creatively challenging. The classes that were difficult for me were art history courses. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Almost all of my classes were practical learning. Some classes used a book to show technique or to help with tutorials. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | They offered a lot of classes. What I liked was that some classes that were part of a sequence were offered during some winter and summer terms in between the normal fall and spring semesters to help finish your degree quicker if you wanted. I took advantage of that. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | I thought they had great facilities. The best thing was an art store in the middle of the art building in case you needed something before class. You didn't have to run to the bookstore all the way across campus. The library had access to a host of research articles and books. The labs were awesome. The photography lab was complete and state of the art. The computer lab was just as up to date, as was the software available. The classrooms provided an incredible amount of space for creating large 3 dimensional designs if the assignment asked for it. And lastly, my professors and advisors were always available. |
| Social Life | 9 | Our campus was a wet campus and art classes went from Monday through Thursday. I always had a three day weekend. I went to football games, attended a variety of concerts at the amphitheater, and also saw a couple of art shows at the art department's gallery. |
| Placement Services | 5 | There really wasn't any help offered to me besides the opportunity to do an internship. Whether or not I got a job was up to me. SDSU was not much help at all. |
| Alumni Network | 9 | It's ok. I get an email every month about specials at the bookstore. It all depends on if you sign up for information. I haven't, but I hear that there is a lot of things always going on. |
Art Institute • Santa Ana, CA
Studying Interactive Media (completion in 2007)
• 10/23/2011
"I went there for a degree. Most of what I learned I already knew."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | The school was good. Don't get me wrong, I just think that for the cost of the school, other alternatives will teach you the same thing. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | I believe this school is rated ok in the field/degree I went there for. |
| Program Quality | 5 | I did not learn much at the college. Most of my skills were already self taught. |
| Instruction | 5 | A lot of the time I knew more or as much as my instructors. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The projects were hard if you really did not know the programs that you were required to do them on. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | There was a mix. Most of the learning was hands on using our computers and programs required for the class. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | They had both on campus and online classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | All of the computers and programs were up to date at my time of attendance. |
| Social Life | 6 | There were some social interaction with group projects and some communication with other students outside of the classroom. |
| Placement Services | 1 | There is some help, but they did not help me. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I found no or little alumni support at this school. |
Cal Poly • San Luis Obispo, CA
Studying Graphic Communications (completion in 2005)
• 10/29/2011
"If not considering the low pay of this industry, I have to say I very much enjoyed by time in this program and at this school. During my time, the school itself was smaller in terms of attendance so it was almost guaranteed that you would run into some classmate you've taken a class with more than once. Also, thanks to the unique location of this school, it was able to offer many other courses and programs that you wouldn't often see in other schools in California. These include classes in Dairy Science, Agricultural, Butchery and Food sciences, Chocolate, Wine, and Honey making."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I definitely would recommend my school to someone that wants to get into the "Arts" industry. There are so many "designers" out there that can create wonderful pieces of art and design. However, when needed to be used for reproduction and marketing, they lacked skills needed to understand limitations of reproduction and printing. This program I graduated with offers the knowledge of both worlds. You learn about Design, Reproduction, Marketing, Packaging, and Quality Assurance. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | Our program is well known in many different Graphic Arts industries. We are 2nd to R.I.T. even though we have only half of the funding they have. However, the university itself doesn't treasure this program as much as others. |
| Program Quality | 8 | This program is one of only a very few west of the Mississippi that offers this specific program. In California, only two schools offer this specific program, Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and City College of San Francisco. |
| Instruction | 9 | All the professors have experiences in various parts of the industry and are able to create a curriculum that is relevant to the current processes being used by companies out in the industry. Also, many professors have industry connections, so getting materials donated for student usage is not as hard as one would expect. |
| How Difficult | 7 | This industry is so large in general that it's hard to learn everything. All courses have labs and groups projects that challenges the students to reach out to industry folks for advice and mentoring. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Very hands on. All classes except for the introductory class had 3-hour labs that accompanied the course. This made scheduling classes very difficult and limited how many classes one could take during the week without going insane. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 1 | Because of limited professors and lectures, there were very limited classes offered each quarter since all classes require 3-4 hours of lab time. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | There were plenty of resources if you needed assistance. Most professors build long lasting relationships with students after they've graduated. |
| Social Life | 3 | I didn't do as much as I wanted since I had to work most of the time to survive paying rent and utilities. I was more active in the social events sponsored by my own major but even then I didn't start becoming more social until my last 2 years of college. |
| Placement Services | 3 | It was great while you were attending the school, but once you've left, you're pretty much on your own. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | With the creation of LinkedIn, we are now able to connect with alumni that graduated from the program back in the 60's. However, support and networking for current graduates or even past graduates in hope of finding a better paying job is poor. |
Pasadena Art Center • Pasadena, CA
Studying Storyboarding (completion in 2004)
• 11/28/2011
"Very happy I attended, and I am continuously storyboarding and designing for non-film projects."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is one of the best schools I have heard of for storyboarding and graphic design. I think anyone would be happy to attend. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | It is one of the best art centers that I know of. All of their courses have delivered great results. |
| Program Quality | 9 | They were very informative and helpful with my decision to pursue storyboarding. Great teachers and great fellow students. |
| Instruction | 8 | They give great practical, real life work and projects. Could use more info in the digital area of storyboarding, though. |
| How Difficult | 6 | Pretty easy if you make sure to understand any specialty words. Having a background in the film industry also helped with understanding camera movements. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | We did very little book learning, actually. We did a great deal of hands on work. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | It was pretty straight up. Missing anything just meant extra homework. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | They have multiple buildings through out the city of Pasadena that all have great facilities. |
| Social Life | 9 | Everyone was fun and very nice. I had a great time. |
| Placement Services | 4 | I didn't get too much help here with the storyboarding, but I have seen great job placement help for other majors. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | Great people. I have made great connections. |
University California Riverside • Riverside, CA
Studying Biology (completion in 2010)
• 12/11/2011
"I think I could have a similar experience at any school."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | Didn't like the location. Too far away from major cities. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Poor reputation, but great education. It's really a shame. |
| Program Quality | 5 | I went to school for a major that wasn't related to my career. |
| Instruction | 8 | Great teachers, but I went to school for something else. |
| How Difficult | 8 | There are many difficult courses at UCR, because they have such a high acceptance rate that they must weed out students who will fail in the long run. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Extremely book-learning-oriented school. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Average school's class scheduling, I would say. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Funding for many departments goes straight to laboratories and research. The facilities are amazing. |
| Social Life | 8 | Great sense of school spirit on campus. Many events planned by the student body. |
| Placement Services | 5 | Had to search for work on my own. Advisors are overwhelmed by the number of students they have to deal with. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I haven't received any support from the alumni network. |
UC Berkeley • Berkeley, CA
Studying Consumer Behavior (completion in 2012)
• 12/26/2011
"Overall, my experience with the school has been average. I feel that perhaps if I'd gone elsewhere, my time would have been better spent. However, Cal still maintains an excellent reputation, so I'm sure that will be useful."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | There really isn't a graphic design major at Berkeley. There aren't many different art majors at all, actually. Graphic design has been a longtime hobby of mine that provides a fair amount of income. I intend to eventually go into marketing and advertising, so I'm hoping that my degree in Consumer Behavior, coupled with my knowledge and experience in design, will be a winning combination. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | My major is an interdisciplinary major, so it isn't particularly well known. There is a lot of variance within the major, as there is a wide variety of fields the students can choose to go into. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I feel that the education here at Berkeley is excellent and that I'm definitely learning things that will aid my career later on. My major is actually an interdisciplinary major, so I've been able to pick and choose my classes carefully. |
| Instruction | 5 | Berkeley's curriculum is primarily based in theory, so there isn't much career preparation involved. There isn't a specific marketing major, so there's a bit of a gap in the curriculum there. |
| How Difficult | 4 | The program is competitive, but it is relatively easy if you put in the work. My business classes are a bit more difficult, but I also have a few sociology classes, which tend to be easier. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | The programs at Berkeley are generally very theory-based, and thus very book learning oriented. The business courses offer a bit more hands-on experience with case studies and such, while the science courses, of course, have labs. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | The school offers courses in the summer, but not many at night. There is a good variety of undergraduate courses available to take online, but not upper-division courses. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | Some of the facilities are quite nice, and others are a bit old and outdated. Things have been getting increasingly crowded, given the rise in accepted students. |
| Social Life | 6 | The school has a decent football team, so athletics and spirit are definitely a part of the social scene here. There is quite a bit of diversity, so it's easy to make friends and find people who have similar interests. |
| Placement Services | 4 | Most of the job placement and career assistance is geared towards the undergraduate business school. The career fairs that occur in the fall are primarily for Haas, with only a few to the rest of the students. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | There definitely is some sort of network, but as far as outreach, they haven't done a very good job. |
University Of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA
Studying Fine Arts (completion in 2008)
• 2/22/2012
"I got a wonderful, well-rounded education at USC. It was a very challenging school and I learned so much. I had wonderful, intelligent professors from all around the world and all walks of life. I was able to focus on art, while still getting a university education."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | USC is located in Los Angeles which is a great place for any graphic designer/artist to be. There are so many local activities happening around LA, and being at USC makes it easy to take advantage of them. Not to mention even though I had some disappointments and have struggled a little getting a career going, I feel like I learned so much and have a great base as a designer. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | USC is a great school, so you will get a good education no matter what. The Fine Arts department also has a great staff that has lots of experience in the world of desigrt. When people think of USC they don't think of the art school first necessarily, but if you are looking for art schools and investigate you will find that it is a great program at a great university. |
| Program Quality | 7 | I got a great education and had a great experience and the professors were wonderful, but I am not sure I was as prepared as I could have been to get a job straight out of college. I think a required internship would have helped to get "real world" experience, as well as more focus learning the design programs, as well as more classes to learn web design since that is a major component of modern graphic design. Otherwise I feel like I learned how to aesthetically design things well and learn the difference between good and bad design, which is a good thing. |
| Instruction | 9 | I learned so much and the professors were wonderful. They all had great backgrounds that made me feel like I was learning from the "right" people. I wish I were more prepared to get a job after school either by having to have had a required internship or more job preparation help. |
| How Difficult | 9 | This program was very challenging. I had quite a lot of work that I was doing daily. I spent many late nights working on projects. Each project challenged me and helped me learn a new component of design though, so it was worth it. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My art classes were very hands on, but also had some reading materials as well as some essays that needed to be written. Most of the sciences have a lab component which is great to actually experience what you are learning from the books. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | There are quite a lot of night classes, though if you work during the day it might be hard to find enough night classes to fill your requirements. I also don't believe there are any (or it is extremely rare) weekend classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Students pay a hefty amount in tuition so there are quite a lot of wonderful resources. There are certain departments that do lack things that would make student's lives better, though. There is a nice, well-stocked art library. All rooms are more or less accessible to students 24/7 too, which is nice. |
| Social Life | 10 | USC offers so much to do, within the school and outside of it. The students housing services provide lots of activities for those that live in on campus housing, as well as concerts and other on campus events for everyone else. Football is a big deal at USC, and even though I wasn't a football fan, going to games was a lot of fun because of everyone's school spirit. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I have tried using their online resources and unfortunately have not had any luck finding a job. When I used the on campus resources to look for a job I found it very unhelpful because they didn't have any "connections" to places I wanted to work. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | I think there should be more outreach from the school as an alum to help me find a job. There is a great support system though, and when I meet another alum from my school I know that they have my best interest in mind and it gives me a little leg up against other competition when looking for a job. It does bother me that a year out of college they started calling me asking for donations from the school when I was still struggling to look for a decent job (not to mention pay off student loans). |
University Of The Pacific • Stockton, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2007)
• 2/28/2012
"I have been very satisfied with the school. I have developed close relationships with my peers and professors. The classes were stimulating and, as a school with a liberal arts background, formed a well-rounded program, including a robust general education program and electives from the studio arts and art history."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend the school for people who want the opportunity to work closely with their professors and have a chance to know all their classmates well. It's strength and weakness is its small size, but I had a great experience at my school and would wholeheartedly recommend it to others. |
| Program Reputation | 5 | The school is known for its science programs. Being close, but outside of the San Francisco Bay Area, it is often overshadowed by programs that have greater access to the San Francisco market. It is also a very small program, producing small numbers of alumni, which also makes it hard to get known outside of the immediate area. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The school's graphic design program is very small, with two professors. As a result, there is a limit to the perspectives you gain during your education. However, the small program size also means that students receive a lot of individualized attention, as well. |
| Instruction | 9 | The relevance of the curriculum was ideal for my interests, which was on print layout and identity design. Before I graduated, the program was beginning to offer more digital design courses as well. |
| How Difficult | 7 | The program was not difficult, as long as the work assigned was kept up with. The assignments are challenging, but are designed to reflect the time limits and challenges of working with real-world clients. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | For most graphic design courses, no textbooks are required. Instead, graphic design techniques and concepts are taught through demonstrations and hands-on experience. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 3 | Because it is a small program, there is one section per course offered a term. However, because it's a small program, it is impossible to not get into the courses you need to complete your program. Typical courses run from morning to night offerings. There is a limited number of summer offerings for entry level courses. Weekend courses are not available. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The visual arts department moved into new facilities when I entered the program. The building is a converted physical plant, which lends it an industrial feel, and provides for a lot of natural light in the studios. It is a small program, so professors are very accessible, and often appointments are not needed. The computer labs are available when classes are not in session. |
| Social Life | 8 | The school has a thriving greek life scene, so there is no shortage of parties for those who are interested. The school participates in NCAA Division I sports, and the basketball team has experienced success, which makes for a lively home game atmosphere. |
| Placement Services | The school offers job placement and career services. I did not utilize these services during my time as a student and have not used them as an alum. As a result, I cannot rate the quality of the school's career services center. | |
| Alumni Network | 3 | The school is not known for its graphic design program, with its largest programs in the sciences. The class sizes in graphic design are very small, which although is great for individual attention, means that the alumni network in graphic design is very small. |
San Diego City College • San Diego, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2011)
• 2/28/2012
"I was satisfied with the program. It gave me the skills I was seeking to learn in order to be able to freelance part-time."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend the program. The school's graphic design program has a good reputation and is the most cost-effective option in the area to get an associates degree or certificate. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | Among the graphic design programs in San Diego, SDCC's program has a good reputation. It holds its own against the other four year university programs in the city. |
| Program Quality | 8 | The teachers were engaged and cared about the outcomes of their students. The program curriculum was thorough and provided many points of contact with the industry. |
| Instruction | 8 | The curriculum was thorough and provided the skills necessary to get an entry level position in field. The instructors were engaged and caring for the most part. |
| How Difficult | 8 | The work load was challenging and the standards were high. I had not anticipated the amount of work that completing the program would require. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Much of what is learned in graphic design needs to be taught experientially, through viewing and talking through examples, not just textbook learning. The program had a good mix. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | The program is fairly flexible. There are weekday and evening programs, but the summer offerings have recently been cut. There are good online options as well. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The school has good facilities and resources for the graphic design program. There is a nice computer lab that the students can use which has all the appropriate software and printers needed for students to learn and complete their work. |
| Social Life | 5 | My social experience was average. I socialized with others in the program but not through organized events. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I don't know about the school's overall job placement and career services, but the program's faculty are very helpful in pointing students to opportunities and providing guidance. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | The alumni network and support is okay. The head of the program works hard to provide networking opportunities for the students. |
Ventura College • Ventura, CA
Studying Photography (completion in 2010)
• 2/27/2012
"As satisfied as I could be at a community college. Not much to be satisfied with."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If you are self motivated and driven, then a decent education paired with your own desire to succeed will work. However, don't expect to find work without personal motivation. |
| Program Reputation | 1 | It's a community college. Not too big on graphic design or any other arts for that matter. |
| Program Quality | 7 | Had a lot of fun and some learning. However, I'm mostly self taught. |
| Instruction | 9 | Awesome teacher who was very understanding. Very well spoken and educated. |
| How Difficult | 5 | It wasn't very hard after being self taught for years prior. The work load was pretty heavy though. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Very hands on. Spent more time taking photos and using photoshop/illustrator than I did in lecture. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Access to Mac and PCs, as well as photoshop cs4/dreamweaver/illustrator. Lots of reading materials and even video material. |
| Social Life | 8 | Pretty good football team. The cheerleaders are no good, though. |
| Placement Services | 1 | No job placement or assistance. You must rely on your own for jobs. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | Not much of an alumni network. Why would there be for graphic designers? |
Academy Of Art University • San Francisco, CA
Studying Illustration (completion in 2006)
• 3/16/2012
"Very satisfied, though I thought the school was too expensive."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Sure, but I would warn them about the price of the school. |
| Program Reputation | 6 | It was pretty good. They seem to have a great reputation since it's quite a popular school. |
| Program Quality | 7 | It's a great school. I learned a lot there and what I learned there inspired me to explore other career opportunities as well. |
| Instruction | 8 | The teachers are great. Very knowledgeable and kind. |
| How Difficult | 6 | It was challenging. I liked the challenge, though. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most of the work was hands on. We hardly used instructional books in most of the classes I took. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Very good flexibility. They had morning, evening, and night class options. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Very good facilities. Great computer lab and recreational areas. |
| Social Life | 8 | Pretty good, I got along well with the other students and had a lot in common with them. |
| Placement Services | I don't know because I didn't go through any type of job placement at the school. | |
| Alumni Network | 6 | It was pretty good. We had quite a few visits at the school from professional alumni. |
California State University At San Bernardino • San Bernardino, CA
Studying Communication Studies - Independent Concentration (completion in 2010)
• 3/16/2012
"I wanted to go away to school so I was unhappy staying at a local state school for some time. Now that I've finished my degree, though, I am happy to have it done and much more satisfied with the education I received. I know I use it all the time."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a good place to go for people who are working or can't "go away" to school. Also, the comm program is top notch and the art program I hear is even better. I know the art/design program is very strong -- I've seen the work coming out of it. |
| Program Reputation | 10 | A former Comm professor is now our satellite campus dean. He is renowned for his Comm work and is now leading the university, which has upped the program's profile. |
| Program Quality | 10 | I had design experience going into school and knew a strong portfolio would get me in the business. I took a comm degree instead of going with the art and graphic design major because it would've taken an extra year to complete. The comm program allowed me to take PR courses which I have used extensively in the design business. |
| Instruction | 10 | Most of my professors were working or had worked in the industry. Many had strong PR backgrounds or marketing backgrounds that complemented my design experiences and gave me more of a client-side education that an art/design degree would not have done. |
| How Difficult | 8 | I was into it so I didn't see it as "difficult" per se. There were some classes that I found terribly difficult and out of my scope of interest (which made them even more difficult). Communication Research and Communication Theory both fell into this category. Both were the cost of having taken a comm route to my degree instead of the art route -- though I suspect art history would've been even more difficult for me. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | I was able to design ads and layouts for the school paper as well as the department newsletter. I was also able to do independent study work that was hands-on in photography and multimedia production, so that only added to it. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I was able to get all the courses I needed in a timely fashion. The upside to being at a state university is that I could also take online classes offered by the other state universities and transfer them in through their Open University program. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The school has an amazing art wing, art labs, photo labs, computer labs, and a very good art museum on campus. There were also distance learning courses that made being an hour away from the school's main campus a little easier to deal with. I never looked into tutors or study groups. My schedule couldn't really handle it. |
| Social Life | 2 | I came away with one "old college buddy" to speak of. CSUSB is not a spirited campus - it is a commuter school where people drive in from an hour each direction. No football team to rally around. There is basketball and I hear the baseball team is decent, but I never went to a game. I can't remember ever seeing cheerleaders. The frat guys and sorority gals probably had a much different social experience; I know they were always doing something on campus. |
| Placement Services | I didn't use any of these services so I really don't know. I had my book put together and went out and got a design job right out of school. I knew someone who had a client with an opening, so it worked out. | |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I haven't really gotten involved. They send me emails all the time. CSUSB is more of a commuter campus so it doesn't have that strong sense of community that big D-1 schools would have (USC, Notre Dame, UCLA, etc). |
Cal State Los Angeles • Los Angeles, CA
Studying Fine Arts (completion in 2008)
• 3/18/2012
"Their arts program was not the strongest, and I recommend going somewhere else if one can afford to. This school is not known for their arts program. The varied quality of teaching can be improved, if they get newer professors who are more passionate about what they teach. I wanted a more challenging program."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | There are better schools out there in my city, two of which are highly regarded in the arts world, and people from all over the world come to enroll there. But they do have the separate High School for the Arts, and I would recommend that to the younger students who haven't yet enrolled in a 4 year program. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | My school is not known in the system as the top school for the arts. Cal State Long Beach is the top dog of the Cal State System. I do think that my school is making efforts to improve their reputation, as they have a performing arts center there. But they do have a separate arts program that is well regarded, although it is not part of the school itself. It is a separate entity that uses the same campus for their students. |
| Program Quality | 7 | The professors' competence levels varied. Some were more passionate than others, and some just graduated themselves, and did not know much. But the majority of the professors were well rounded individuals who knew a lot about the subject matter they were teaching. If I could have afforded it, I would have gone to one of the major art schools in my city, two of which are well renowned. |
| Instruction | 7 | Again, I reiterate my last statement, as to the varied personalities and competence levels of the professors in their arts program. I feel some of them should have retired already, as their competence level is not up to par anymore, and they go through the motions. Basically, I get the impression that some of them are not into teaching anymore. |
| How Difficult | 7 | I only had a few professors who challenged me to do my best work possible, while quite a few were pretty easy on their grading scale. So I would say it was that many of my classes were relatively easy. The difficulty was in the time spent completing the different projects, not in the execution. I wish I was challenged more by more of the professors. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Since it is an arts program, I would say half is book oriented, like art history, etc., while the others are studio arts related, like ceramics, sculpture, and painting. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I like the flexibility and availability of classes. I was able to get a full schedule while having a full time job. Many of my classes were at night, and many students attended the night classes. This school caters to many working professionals who are pursuing a 4 year education while already employed. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | The facilities were adequate and the library was a good resource for information. I did not participate in study groups, as many of my classes were studio arts related, where one does all the work. But there were many outlets for resources there as well, outside of the library. Many of the professors are open to give advice and other advisors are available as well. |
| Social Life | 6 | From my experience, school spirit was above average. The location of the campus works against it in this regard, as there are no commercial centers nearby where students can congregate, like in Westwood Village (UCLA). So that limits the options for social events, parties, etc. A large number of students are working professionals who leave as soon as class is over. UCLA and USC are the schools to go to for athletics and social events. |
| Placement Services | I did not use their career services or job placement services. I cannot give an accurate rating. | |
| Alumni Network | They have an alumni association, but I don't participate in it. Therefore, I cannot give accurate feedback as to their effectiveness. |
San Diego State • San Diego, CA
Studying Graphic Design (completion in 2009)
• 3/16/2012
"The experience, networking, and alumni network was great. Very happy with the skills I learned."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If you can go to an art or design school, you can get better jobs. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | School is not known for its art and design programs. The program is not bad, but at the same time it's not the best. |
| Program Quality | 9 | Small class sizes and very hands on staff. Easy to network and find jobs through contacts made. |
| Instruction | 8 | Provided me with internship opportunities. Published our own magazine which gave me experience with deadlines. |
| How Difficult | 5 | After GE requirements, classes were mainly art classes. Very little strenuous classes with heavy workloads. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | My major assignments consisted more of portfolio creation. Book work consisted of lessons on computer programs, such as photoshop. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I took my GE classes at the local community college. I was able to take classes over the summer. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Tutor service is available. As part of the honors college, we had a private study area. |
| Social Life | 9 | There was a club for basically every major. I made a lot of connections with fellow graphic designers through clubs. |
| Placement Services | 9 | Alumni support provided jobs. Internships helped with resumes. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | Alumni provide internships and jobs for students. I currently am in contact with the program still and do the same. |
UC Berkeley • Berkeley, CA
Studying Architecture (completion in 2014)
• 3/11/2012
"It didn't prepare me for exactly what I want to do. The classes were too linear."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | There are good and bad things about the school. It's hard to pinpoint what will help each person. |
| Program Reputation | 8 | It's seen as a good school all around. They have a good design program. |
| Program Quality | 5 | There weren't enough design courses. Too many architecture courses. |
| Instruction | 7 | Some good teachers. Some bad teachers. |
| How Difficult | 9 | There were too many nights I didn't sleep. And too many harsh critiques. Overall it was discouraging. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | It was a little too book-oriented. Not enough flexibility. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | There weren't enough courses. It was too hard to get into the courses they have. The student body was overcrowded. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Good resources. I didn't use them too much. |
| Social Life | 4 | There wasn't much time to socialize. We put in too many long hours. |
| Placement Services | 7 | They provided good resources. Unfortunately, I didn't use them. |
| Alumni Network | I'm not an alumni yet. So I don't know about this. |
American River College • Sacramento, CA
Studying Media Art And Design (completion in 2013)
• 3/12/2012
"I thought I would need to transfer but so far ARC is doing great. I think I will be able to advance with a certificate."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If they just want to get on the path to a career I would recommend checking out their local college. Art school and Uni's cost a lot of money. |
| Program Reputation | 3 | My school isn't known for specializing in my program. It is just an average community college. |
| Program Quality | 9 | At first I was trying to go for an AA then eventually a BA. I am really happy I went for the certificate so I can advance in this field soon. |
| Instruction | 8 | I have been enjoying my classes and believe they teach me everything I need. Since I have not taken classes anywhere else I can't really compare them. |
| How Difficult | 9 | The classes are difficult. I believe this is a good thing though. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | You can't really learn graphic arts by books. We do have a history of graphic arts class though. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Classes are offered on almost any day/time. I would say this is a major benefit to my school. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Our school has all the necessary computer equipment. The professors are plenty knowledgeable. |
| Social Life | 1 | They try but I am uninterested, so I would say they are doing it wrong. |
| Placement Services | 5 | There is internship work. I think that is the most assistance they have. |
| Alumni Network | I don't even know that there is any. |
California State University Of Northridge • Northridge, CA
Studying Computer Information Technology (completion in 2014)
• 3/28/2012
"I was very happy with my school. No complaints."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | They have very good technological programs. Overall, a great school. |
| Program Reputation | 7 | Since it is a new program, there are not many ratings. In my opinion, it is great. |
| Program Quality | 10 | It is a very effective program. Very helpful. |
| Instruction | 10 | Professors are very well trained. Program is very well organized. |
| How Difficult | 7 | A few courses were difficult, but not impossible. With enough hard work, it can be completed. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Depends on the class. Some professors base their lectures on books; some do their own thing. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | Very flexible. I am able to choose my classes and attend when I choose to. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Very good amount of tutors. Professors never say no to helping out. |
| Social Life | 5 | I am not very involved with social groups in school, but I have heard that they are good. |
| Placement Services | I have not used their job placement services. I plan to get placed in a good area. | |
| Alumni Network | 8 | Very good environment of students. Network is very good. |
Platt College • Ontario, CA
Studying Visual Communications (completion in 2006)
• 3/24/2012
"It wasn't a complete loss. I was able to master Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign and Flash."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I'd only recommend my school to someone who wants a fast career and doesn't mind forking out some dough. However, because of these types of schools there has been such an increase in graphic designers and the future outlook is weak. |
| Program Reputation | 4 | We definitely had a reputation but it wasn't that great. Some employers liked to hire from Platt College because they did a enough work in training students. Other employees hated hiring from Platt College because students had a sense of arrogance. |
| Program Quality | 4 | I feel like my college established a low expectation for students so that they could collect money more easy. |
| Instruction | 4 | Some teachers were great while other teachers where absolutely horrible. They should not have been teaching. All of my web design classes were taught by the same mediocre teacher. |
| How Difficult | 2 | All my classes were simple. The material was the only challenge. Web courses were extremely challenging because coding is hard for me. However, since this school never wanted you to fail, I was always given "A's" when I didn't deserve them. |
| Hands-On vs. Bookish | Most was hands on and rarely did we go by the book. | |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | We went to class Monday-Thursday for five hours a day. No weekend or online courses but they offered nights for those who worked during the day. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | We had no library but they were pretty up to date on their computers and software. There were no group studies or tutors. Nobody needed them because even if you didn't know how to figure a program out or understand code, they passed you anyways. |
| Social Life | 3 | Since this wasn't a traditional college, we didn't have all that fun stuff. |
| Placement Services | 2 | At the time I was graduating the career counselor had quit so I was working with a newly hired career counselor. There was no intern work set up for us either. |
| Alumni Network | 4 | Some departments were strong while other weren't and there was a high turnover rate. |
Online Course Finder
Find the path to your
education in 3 easy steps.