A UX or user experience design degree is one of the most highly sought-after programs today. This is an interdisciplinary field involving studies of human-computer interaction, industrial design, computer science, psychology, and anthropology. Businesses are increasingly focusing on improving user experience for maximum high conversion rates. This means expert UX design technologists are currently in high demand, and this demand is only set to increase in the future.
Therefore, it will not be hard to find a lucrative UX design job once you complete one of the best UX design graduate programs from a reputable school.
Wondering which are the best UX design schools to get your UX designer degree? Let’s dive into our list!
Best UX Design Graduate Programs
Each school on this list makes an excellent UX design university. Compare and contrast to find the best fit for you!
| University/ School | Program | Duration | Total tuition | Location | |
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon University, Human-Computer Interaction Institute | Master of Human-Computer Interaction | 1 year | $77,784 | Pittsburg, PA |
| 2 | DePaul University, College of Computing and Digital Media | Master of Science – Human-Computer Interaction | 2.5 years | $46,800 | Chicago, IL |
| 3 | University of Washington, Graduate School | Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Design (MHCI+D) | 11 months (intensive) | $53,038 | Seattle, Washington |
| 4 | The University of California Irvine, Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences | Master of Human-Computer Interaction & Design (MHCID) | 1 year | $49,500 | Irvine, CA |
| 5 | Georgia Institute of Technology | MS in Human-Computer Interaction (MS-HCI) | 18 months | $24,120 | Atlanta, GA |
| 6 | The University of Baltimore, Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences | MS in Interaction Design and Information Architecture | 36 credits | $28,368 | Baltimore, MD |
| 7 | Purdue University, Department of Computer Graphics & Technology | MS in Computer Graphics Technology – UX Design | 2 years | $19,984 | West Lafayette, IN |
| 8 | Drexel University, College of Computing & Informatics | MS in Information – Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) & User Experience (UX) | 2 years | $60,975 | Philadelphia, PA |
| 9 | Pratt Institute | Information Experience Design (MS) | 2 years | $55,908 | Brooklyn, New York |
| 10 | California College of the Arts | MDes Interaction Design | 1 year | $68,112 | San Francisco, CA |
Carnegie Mellon University, Human-Computer Interaction Institute
Master of Human-Computer Interaction
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university with locations on six continents. Its Human-Computer Interaction Institute is one of the top UX schools in the US, and this master’s program was the world’s first-ever user experience program. It is known for its diverse, multidisciplinary student cohorts. As part of this program, you get the opportunity to complete your capstone project with a top industry client.
- Courses: Communications in HCI, interaction design studio, and programming usable interfaces.
- Duration: 3 semesters (1 year)
- Delivery: On-campus
- Tuition: $77,784
- Financial aid: Grants, fellowships
- Acceptance rate: 17.3%
- Location: Pittsburg, PA
DePaul University, College of Computing and Digital Media
Master of Science – Human-Computer Interaction
DePaul is the largest Catholic university in the country and has a strong anti-discrimination policy, welcoming students from all backgrounds. It also offers one of the best UX design programs around, with an emphasis on ICT evaluation, prototype development, information architecture, and exploratory user research.
- Courses: Prototyping & implementation, usability evaluation methods, and design ethnography.
- Credits: 52
- Tuition: $46,800
- Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, graduate assistantships, employer tuition deferral, and military benefits.
- Delivery: On-campus, online
- Acceptance rate: 70.2%
- Location: Chicago, IL
University of Washington, Graduate School
Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Design (MHCI+D)
The University of Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast, with one of the largest library systems in the world. This interdisciplinary UX program is offered by the university’s award-winning research group known as DUB (Design: Use: Build). The group encompasses four departments: Computer Science & Engineering, the Information School, Human-Centered Design & Engineering, and the Division of Design from the School of Art + Art History + Design.
- Courses: Immersion studio, design of interactive systems, and data visualization.
- Duration: 11 months (intensive)
- Credits: 46+
- Tuition: $53,038
- Financial aid: Grants, loans, and work-study
- Delivery: On-campus
- Acceptance rate: 55.9%
- Location: Seattle, Washington
The University of California Irvine, Donald Bren School of Information & Computer Sciences
Master of Human-Computer Interaction & Design (MHCID)
The University of California Irvine was ranked one of the top ten public universities in the nation by the US News & World Report. Its MHCID is the only low residency, one-year, hybrid master’s program in the world. Thanks to its hybrid format combining some campus visits with online study, you’ll have enough flexibility to complete the program while continuing with your work.
- Courses: Design & prototyping, interactive technology studio, and user needs analysis.
- Duration: 1 year
- Delivery: Hybrid
- Tuition: $49,500
- Financial aid: Scholarships
- Acceptance rate: 29.9%
- Location: Irvine, CA
Georgia Institute of Technology
MS in Human-Computer Interaction
Georgia Tech is globally renowned in the IT sector, ranked 13th and 12th in computer science and engineering, respectively, in the World University Rankings. Four schools jointly offer this interdisciplinary MS program: the schools of Interactive Computing, Industrial Design, Literature, Media, and Communication (LMC), and Psychology.
- Courses: Human-robot interaction, human-centered computing, and web design accessibility.
- Credits: 36
- Duration: 4 semesters (18 months)
- Delivery: On-campus
- Tuition: $24,120
- Financial aid: Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)
- Acceptance rate: 21.3%
- Location: Atlanta, GA
The University of Baltimore, Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences
MS in Interaction Design and Information Architecture
The University of Baltimore is one of the most prestigious universities around and was named among the top performers for social mobility by the US News & World Report, 2022. This MS program is one of the best interaction design programs that allow you to study under a faculty whose members are conducting research in specialized fields. You can complete the program with a thesis option or a project option.
- Courses: Interaction & interface design, information architecture, and interactive multimedia.
- Credits: 36
- Delivery: On-campus, Online
- Tuition: $28,368
- Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, loans, and federal work-study
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Location: Baltimore, MD
Purdue University, Department of Computer Graphics & Technology
MS in Computer Graphics Technology – UX Design
Purdue University is a reputable public research university with hundreds of programs across various disciplines and academic levels. This MS program is flexible, allowing you to pursue it either within the Department of Computer Graphics and Technology (CGT) or across other available programs. If you don’t already have a bachelor’s degree, you can opt for a combined BS and MS, which will take five years to complete.
- Courses: Foundational readings of user experience design, UXD graduate studio, and interaction design evaluation.
- Credits: 36
- Duration: 2 years
- Delivery: On-campus
- Tuition: $19,984
- Financial aid: Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)
- Acceptance rate: 67.2%
- Location: West Lafayette, IN
Drexel University, College of Computing & Informatics
MS in Information – Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) & User Experience (UX)
Drexel University is a well-known R1 private research university. With this interdisciplinary MS program, you study in a reputed UX design university under a diverse faculty from a range of backgrounds, including engineering and human factors, multimedia design, education, social sciences, and healthcare.
- Courses: Prototyping the user experience, designing with data, and human-computer interaction.
- Credits: 45
- Duration: 2 years
- Delivery: On-campus, Online
- Tuition: $60,975
- Financial aid: Grants, loans, scholarships
- Acceptance rate: 77.2%
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
Pratt Institute
Information Experience Design (MS)
The Pratt Institute, founded in 1887, is known globally for its art, design, and architecture programs. This MS program aims to develop not only competent UX designers, but excellent researchers, strategists, and communicators. You can choose between two concentrations: research & evaluation or design.
- Courses: Conversational user experience design, sustainable interaction design, and advanced usability & UX evaluation
- Credits: 36
- Duration: 2 years
- Delivery: On-campus
- Tuition: $55,908
- Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, grants, student employment
- Acceptance rate: 65.9%
- Location: Brooklyn, New York
California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts is one of the top arts and design colleges in the world. It was also ranked #1 on Payscale.com’s list of the best value art colleges. With this program, you’ll get to study under quality faculty that includes practicing designers connected with some of the world’s largest digital brands, such as Microsoft, Apple, Facebook, and Google. Our opinion? CCA is one of the best schools for UX design.
- Courses: Studio: design-people, communication by design, and studio: form.
- Credits: 36
- Duration: 1 year (3 semesters)
- Delivery: On-campus
- Tuition: $68,112
- Financial aid: Scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Location: San Francisco, CA
How to Choose the Best UX Design Degree
With so many strong UX design programs available, it can be difficult to wade through the options to choose the right one for you. Here are a few factors that will help you make the right decision:
- Investment vs. job prospects: You should first get a basic idea of how much you’ll spend on the program and compare this to your expected earnings as a UX designer. Essentially, this is about the ROI (return on investment), as well as the program you can afford.
- Curriculum: Though many UX programs share courses in common, there are certain differences. Pick curriculums that appeal to your interests and career goals. Additionally, certain programs offer special concentrations and specializations.
- Duration: Most UX design graduate programs last two years. However, some schools offer one-year programs, and others that you can complete in as little as 11 months in an intensive format.
- School reputation: A degree from a school with a strong reputation can make a huge difference in securing the job you want.
- Location: You’ll want to look for a conveniently located school or one with online options.
Why Choose a UX Design Program?
The major reason to choose a UX design program is that it will qualify you for lucrative roles in one of the most in-demand fields right now. With businesses becoming more and more user-oriented, there is an increasing demand for technologists that can create innovative designs to provide better user experiences.
Additionally, salary prospects in this field are excellent. According to Glassdoor.com, the average base pay for UX designers is currently more than $115,000.
UX Design Graduate Program FAQs
Which Degree is the Best for UX Design?
If you want to pursue a career in UX design, you can choose between a few different degrees. Any course covering human-computer interaction, information architecture/design, psychology, interaction design, industrial design, and computer science will be useful.
Though these topics may also be covered in programs like computer science and psychology, a master’s in UX Design will give you in-depth knowledge across all these fields, making it arguably the best option.
Is a Master’s in UX Design Worth It?
Graduates with a master’s in UX Design are in high demand today. UX designers enjoy an average annual salary of over $115,000. Additionally, with so much demand in the field, with a master’s in UX Design from a reputable university and excellent grades, you’ll find it relatively easy to secure an excellent role.
What Master’s Degree Should I Get for UX Research?
If you want to work in UX research, a master’s in UX Design is a strong asset. However, some UX research roles require a PhD in UX design. To pursue this type of doctorate, you’ll need a degree in UX design or a related field, such as interaction design, communication design, or industrial design.
Key Takeaways
With so many UI design schools offering UX design master’s programs today, it’s important to do your research and choose the right program for you. If you have a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving, a UX design program could be the perfect fit for you. These programs involve diverse fields of study, including digital, industrial, scientific, and humanities subjects.
Once you’ve chosen from the best UX design graduate programs, take a look at our posts and guides for advice on putting together a strong application.
Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.
