Automotive Design Schools and Colleges in the U.S.

Automotive designers are often regarded as a specific type of industrial or commercial designer. An automotive designer conceptualizes the appearance of a vehicle's exterior and interior. A bachelor's degree in industrial design or motor vehicle design is the minimum educational requirement for entry-level positions in the field.

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How to Choose an Automotive Design School and College

Industrial design or commercial design bachelor's degree programs are not too common. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), approximately 300 programs that focus on art and design are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Furthermore, specific bachelor's degree programs that emphasize vehicle design are even scarcer.

A prospective student who wishes to enter into the field must first be aware of the number of industrial design programs that qualify graduates to work in the field of automotive design. This is especially important if a prospective student has no plans to enroll in a vehicle design program. In general, a bachelor's degree program in industrial design is broad in scope and allows graduates to work in a number of different areas upon graduation, and this fact alone may figure into a prospective student's choice of school.

Some of the classes found in an industrial design bachelor's degree program include art history, industrial design methodology, history and theory of design, advanced industrial design and visualization techniques. Internships are commonly offered during the last year of study and students receive the opportunity to work with industrial designers. An internship is important to aspiring automotive designers and industrial designers and should be an important consideration when choosing a design school.

In contrast, a bachelor's degree in automotive design focuses solely on the technical and creative elements needed to design the exterior and interior elements of automobiles. Some automobile design programs may include topics in materials and processes, science and mathematics, automotive design, computer-aided design and drafting and descriptive geometry. Specific automotive design courses cover areas such as technical creativity, design for manufacturing and assembly, vehicle packaging, design terminology and vehicle electronic systems design.

Largest Automobile Design Schools and Colleges by Student Population

College/University Student Population Institution Type
Arizona State University 67,082 4-year, Public
Ohio State University - Main Campus 53,715 4-year, Public
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 43,246 4-year, Public
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor 41,028 4-year, Public
University of Washington - Seattle Campus 39,675 4-year, Public
California State University - Long Beach 37,891 4-year, Public
University of Houston 36,104 4-year, Public
North Carolina State University at Raleigh 32,872 4-year, Public
San Jose State University 32,746 4-year, Public
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 30,739 4-year, Public
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus 29,617 4-year, Public
University of Illinois at Chicago 25,835 4-year, Public
Western Michigan University 24,818 4-year, Public
Auburn University Main Campus 24,530 4-year, Public
Metropolitan State College of Denver 21,729 4-year, Public
Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus 19,413 4-year, Public
Clemson University 18,317 4-year, Public
Appalachian State University 16,610 4-year, Public
University of Louisiana at Lafayette 16,320 4-year, Public
Western Washington University 14,620 4-year, Public
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2 Popular Schools

Other Schools:

  • Ferris State University

    School locations:
    • Michigan (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Ferris State University include:
      • Graduate: First Professional Degree, Master
      • Non-Degree: Certificate, Coursework
      • Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Engineering
      • Civil Engineering
      • Drafting and Design Engineering
      • Electrical Engineering and Electronics
      • Engineering - Architectural
      • Environmental Engineering
      • Industrial Engineering
      • Manufacturing Engineering
      • Math
      • Mechanical Engineering
        • Automotive Engineering
        • Mechanical Engineering Technologies
      • Plastics Engineering
      • Surveying
    » Research Ferris State University's Programs

  • Southern Illinois University

    School locations:
    • Illinois (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Southern Illinois University include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Engineering
      • Civil Engineering
      • Computer Engineering
      • Electrical Engineering and Electronics
      • Engineering - Architectural
      • Industrial Engineering
      • Manufacturing Engineering
      • Math
      • Mechanical Engineering
        • Automotive Engineering
      • Mining Engineering
    » Research Southern Illinois University's Programs

  • Minnesota State University

    School locations:
    • Minnesota (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Minnesota State University include:
      • Graduate: Master
      • Non-Degree: Certificate
      • Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Engineering
      • Civil Engineering
      • Computer Engineering
      • Electrical Engineering and Electronics
      • Manufacturing Engineering
      • Math
      • Mechanical Engineering
        • Automotive Engineering
    » Research Minnesota State University's Degree Programs

  • Indiana State University

    School locations:
    • Indiana (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Indiana State University include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, Master
      • Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Engineering
      • Computer Engineering
      • Electrical Engineering and Electronics
      • Engineering - Architectural
      • Industrial Engineering
      • Manufacturing Engineering
      • Math
      • Mechanical Engineering
        • Automotive Engineering
    » Research Indiana State University's Programs

  • University of Central Missouri

    School locations:
    • Missouri (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at University of Central Missouri include:
      • Graduate: Master
      • Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Engineering
      • Drafting and Design Engineering
      • Electrical Engineering and Electronics
      • Environmental Engineering
      • Industrial Engineering
      • Manufacturing Engineering
      • Math
      • Mechanical Engineering
        • Aeronautical and Aerospace Mechanics
        • Automotive Engineering
    » Research University of Central Missouri's Programs & Degrees

  • Oklahoma State University

    School locations:
    • Oklahoma (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Oklahoma State University include:
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Engineering
      • Biological and Agricultural Engineering
      • Civil Engineering
      • Electrical Engineering and Electronics
      • Mechanical Engineering
        • Automotive Engineering
    » Research Oklahoma State University's Degree Programs

Other Related Schools:

  • Iowa State University

    School locations:
    • Iowa (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Iowa State University include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Engineering
      • Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
      • Biological and Agricultural Engineering
      • Biomedical and Medical Engineering
      • Chemical Engineering
      • Civil Engineering
      • Computer Engineering
      • Electrical Engineering and Electronics
      • Engineering Mechanics
      • Industrial Engineering
      • Materials Engineering
      • Math
      • Mechanical Engineering
      • Systems Engineering
    » Research Iowa State University's Programs

  • University of Michigan

    School locations:
    • Michigan (2 campuses)
    Areas of study you may find at University of Michigan include:
      • Graduate: Master
      • Post Degree Certificate: Postbaccalaureate Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Engineering
      • Computer Engineering
      • Electrical Engineering and Electronics
      • Industrial Engineering
      • Manufacturing Engineering
      • Math
      • Mechanical Engineering
    » View University of Michigan's Locations and Degree Programs

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