University of Graphic Design?

August 28, 2007 12:33 PM

What schools (colleges/universities) are good for graphic design in NYC?

I know almost nothing about the college world in graphic design

Two parts to this question... My cousin is looking for schools in graphic design in the NYC area. The only one she is aware of if the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).

1. What other schools are good options for this field of study in the area?

2. Of these schools, which are kind to the student when it comes to financial aid packages?

Thanks so much in advance all!

posted by kaozity to Education (10 answers total)

parsons
pratt
nyu
school of visual arts
posted by octomato at 12:41 PM on August 28, 2007

Cooper Union (and, free!)
posted by nicwolff at 12:51 PM on August 28, 2007

All of the above are good, and Cooper Union is known for giving full scholarships to every student. Of course that probably makes it hard to get in.
posted by moonmilk at 12:54 PM on August 28, 2007

NYU recently was ranked FIRST in terms of students dissatisfied with their financial aid award. Having said that, I went there (for another field) and love the place.
posted by bunnycup at 1:03 PM on August 28, 2007

Went to Cooper Union for engineering, which I guess is hard enough to get in for, but the Art program is ridiculously hard to get into. Admissions rates are in the single digits for that, I believe, and maybe even the low single digits. I also don't know how much it would be considered "graphic design" vs. "art school" if there's a difference to be recognized there.

Also, the free does not include living in Manhattan.
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 1:06 PM on August 28, 2007

Response by poster: Wow, It surprises me that NYU is not better with finincial aid.
posted by kaozity at 1:06 PM on August 28, 2007

Response by poster: Well, if she manages to get in, would not be a problem... she lives in NY.
posted by kaozity at 1:07 PM on August 28, 2007

In my experience, Pratt is not so good for financial aid. Both in how much is available (very different from what was said during the open house!) and in the difficulty of dealing with the financial aid office/bureaucracy.
posted by beckish at 1:10 PM on August 28, 2007

I loved everything about my time at Parsons - although it wasn't for Graphic Design. The people I know who've attended Pratt and SVA provide mixed reviews. Does it HAVE to be in NYC? Because if not, RISD is the way to go - another school I loved.
posted by blaneyphoto at 4:26 PM on August 28, 2007

Of the bunch, I've found Parsons students are generally the happiest with their (graphic) design education. Mixed reviews for the rest, depending mostly on how well expectations matched with reality, so probably the best way to ensure you're happy with your institutional affiliation is to do a fair amount of research before you apply.
posted by ChasFile at 12:00 AM on August 29, 2007