Best UX and Interaction Design Programs Compared
Compare graduate UX, HCI and interaction design programmes in the U.S, outside the U.S and online. 86 programmes: 51 in the U.S, 21 outside the U.S and 14 online. The list order is editorial, not a formal ranking.
| # | Program | (year) | (latest published) | Location | (# / year) | (min) | GRE(Required?) | Portfolio(Required?) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Carnegie Mellon University | Master of Human-Computer Interaction (MHCI) | 1 | $93,300 | Pittsburgh, PA | 60 | 25 per section | Optional | Optional | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 2 | Carnegie Mellon University | Master of Design (MDes) in Design for Interactions | 2 | $90,000 | Pittsburgh, PA | 10 | 102 | Optional | Y | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 3 |  University of Washington | Master of Human-Computer Interaction + Design (MHCI+D) | 11 mo | $63,618 | Seattle, WA | ? | 106 | - | Y | Jan 18, 2027 |
| 4 | University of Washington | M.S. in Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) | 2 | $51,150 | Seattle, WA | ? | 92 | - | - | Jan 13, 2027 |
| 5 | University of Washington | M.S. in Technology Innovation (MSTI), Global Innovation Exchange | 21 mo | $66,378 | Redmond, WA | 45 | 100 | - | - | Nov 5, 2026 |
| 6 |  Stanford University | MS in Design (formerly MS in Design Impact) | 2 | $139,434 | Stanford, CA | 13 | 90 | - | Y | Dec 1, 2026 |
| 7 |  Georgia Institute of Technology | Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction (MS-HCI) | 2 | $78,120 | Atlanta, GA | 55 | 100 | - | Y | Feb 1, 2027 |
| 8 |  Massachusetts Institute of Technology | S.M. in Media Arts and Sciences (MAS) | 2 | $0 | Cambridge, MA | 50 | 100 | - | Y | Dec 15, 2026 |
| 9 |  Parsons School of Design | M.F.A. in Design and Technology (DT) | 2 | $127,880 | New York, NY | 80 | 92 | - | Y | Jan 5, 2026 |
| 10 |  New York University | Interactive Telecommunications Program, Master of Professional Studies (ITP MPS) | 2 | $165,800 | New York, NY | ? | Y | - | Optional | Dec 1, 2026 |
| 11 |  UC Berkeley | Master of Information Management and Systems (MIMS) | 2 | $94,512 | Berkeley, CA | 50 | 90 | - | - | Jan 6, 2027 |
| 12 | UC Berkeley | Master of Design (MDes) | 1.5 | $84,747 | Berkeley, CA | 23 | 90 | - | Y | Jan 6, 2027 |
| 13 |  Pratt Institute | M.S. in Information Experience Design (IXD) | 2 | $68,184 | New York, NY | ? | 82 | - | Optional | Jan 5, 2027 |
| 14 |  School of Visual Arts | M.F.A. in Interaction Design (IxD) | 2 | $123,380 | New York, NY | 20 | 79 | - | Y | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 15 |  University of Michigan | M.S. in Information (MSI) | 2 | $120,304 | Ann Arbor, MI | 450 | 102 | - | Y | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 16 |  Indiana University Bloomington | M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction Design (HCI/d) | 2 | $59,976 | Bloomington, IN | 45 | 100 | Optional | Optional | Jan 1, 2027 |
| 17 |  ArtCenter College of Design | MFA in Media Design Practices (MDP) | 2 | $121,248 | Pasadena, CA | 20 | 5 (1-6 scale) | - | Y | Jan 15, 2026 |
| 18 |  Ball State University | M.A. in Emerging Media Design and Development (EMDD) | 2 | $45,684 | Muncie, IN | ? | 79 | - | Y | Rolling |
| 19 |  Cornell University | Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Information Science | 1 | $73,946 | Ithaca, NY | 95 | Y | - | - | Dec 1, 2026 |
| 20 |  Purdue University | M.S. in Computer Graphics Technology, UX Design concentration | 2 | $58,732 | West Lafayette, IN | 20 | 90 | Y | Y | Feb 1, 2027 |
| 21 |  University of Maryland, College Park | M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction (HCIM), College of Information | 2 | $58,980 | College Park, MD | 35 | 96 | Optional | Y | Jan 20, 2027 |
| 22 |  Rochester Institute of Technology | M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) | 2 | $129,084 | Rochester, NY | 25 | 88 | Optional | - | Feb 15 |
| 23 |  Arizona State University | M.S. in User Experience | 2 | $48,660 | Mesa, AZ | ? | 80 | - | - | Rolling |
| 24 |  University of Wisconsin-Madison | Master of Science in Design + Innovation | 1 | $48,000 | Madison, WI | ? | 92 | - | - | Feb 1, 2027 |
| 25 |  San José State University | M.S. in Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE), incl. User Experience concentration | 2-2.5 | $5,631.50/semester | San Jose, CA | 35 | 80 | - | Optional | Feb 1, 2027 |
| 26 |  Tallinn University | MSc in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) | 2 | €14,000 | Tallinn, Estonia | 20 | 72 | - | Y | Mar 1, 2027 |
| 27 |  University of Texas at Austin | M.S. in Information Studies (MSIS), UX Research & Design / Human-Computer Interaction areas of study | 2 | $39,572 | Austin, TX | ? | 79 | Optional | Y | Jan 5, 2027 |
| 28 |  Illinois Institute of Technology | Master of Design (MDes) | 2 | $101,952 | Chicago, IL | 45 | 100 | - | Optional | Feb 20, 2026 |
| 29 |  Indiana University Indianapolis | M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) | 2 | $43,254 | Indianapolis, IN | 35 | 90 | Optional | Y | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 30 |  Northwestern University | M.S. in Engineering Design Innovation (EDI) | 1.5 | $94,648 | Evanston, IL | 20 | 95 | - | Y | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 31 |  University of Colorado Boulder | M.S. in Creative Technology & Design (Creative Industries / Social Impact tracks) | 2 | $51,552 | Boulder, CO | ? | 100 | Optional | Y | Apr 15, 2027 |
| 32 |  California State University, East Bay | Master of Arts in Interaction Design and Interactive Art (IxDIA) | 2 | $37,586 | Hayward, CA | 12 | 80 | - | Y | May 1, 2027 |
| 33 |  Tufts University | M.S. in Human Factors Engineering | 24 mo | $55,650 | Medford, MA | 5 | 100 | - | Optional | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 34 |  George Washington University | M.A. in Interaction Design (STEM) | 2 | $68,040 | Washington, DC | ? | 80 | - | Y | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 35 |  Pennsylvania State University | M.S. in Informatics, Human-Centered Design concentration (College of IST) | 1-2 | $101,216 | University Park, PA | ? | 80 | Y | Y | Mar 1, 2027 |
| 36 |  Bentley University | M.S. in Human Factors in Information Design (MSHFID) | 1 | $63,350 | Waltham, MA | ? | 100 | Optional | Y | Nov 1, 2026 |
| 37 |  Michigan State University | M.A. in Media and Information (HCI/UX focus) | 1.5 | $54,443 | East Lansing, MI | 20 | 85 | Y | Y | Mar 1, 2027 |
| 38 |  University of Maryland, Baltimore County | M.S. in Human-Centered Computing (HCC) | 2 | $47,850 | Baltimore, MD | 45 | 80 | - | Y | May 1, 2027 |
| 39 |  DePaul University | M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction | 2.5 | $48,144 | Chicago, IL | 100 | 80 | - | - | Aug 1, 2027 |
| 40 |  University of Baltimore | M.S. in Interaction Design and Information Architecture | ? | $45,072 | Baltimore, MD | ? | 79 | - | - | Jul 1, 2027 |
| 41 |  California State University, Long Beach | M.A. in Human Experience Design Interactions (MA_HXDI) | 1.5 | $31,236 | Long Beach, CA | 12 | 80 | - | Y | Apr 1 |
| 42 |  Touro University | M.S. in UX/UI & Interaction Design | ? | $30,030 | New York, NY | 15 | 80 | - | - | Rolling |
| 43 |  University of Michigan-Dearborn | M.S. in Human-Centered Design and Engineering (HCDE) | ? | $62,527 | Dearborn, MI | ? | 84 | - | - | Rolling |
| 44 |  Rice University | Master of Human-Computer Interaction and Human Factors (MHCIHF) | 2 | $75,000 | Houston, TX | 5 | 90 | Optional | - | Dec 1, 2026 |
| 45 |  Northeastern University | M.S. in Design (Experience Design concentration) | 1 | $67,520 | Boston, MA | ? | 100 | - | Y | Feb 1, 2027 |
| 46 |  Iowa State University | M.S. in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) | 2 | $64,804 | Ames, IA | ? | 79 | Optional | - | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 47 |  University of Kansas | M.A. in Design with concentration in Interaction and User Experience Design | 1.5 | $31,029 | Lawrence, KS | 8 | 80 | - | Y | Apr 15 |
| 48 |  University of Miami | M.F.A. in Creative Technologies and Interactive Arts | 2 | $97,650 | Coral Gables, FL | ? | Y | - | Y | See website |
| 49 |  University of North Texas | M.A. in Interaction Design (IxD) | 24 mo | $23,428 | Denton, TX | 9 | 85 | - | Y | May 15, 2026 |
| 50 |  State University of New York at Oswego | M.A. in Human-Computer Interaction | 2 | $33,363 | Oswego, NY | 50 | 79 | Optional | - | Rolling |
| 51 |  Thomas Jefferson University | M.S. in User Experience & Interaction Design | 2 | $52,651 | Philadelphia, PA | ? | 79 | - | Y | See website |
| # | Program | (year) | (latest published) | Location | (# / year) | (min) | GRE(Required?) | Portfolio(Required?) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID) | Interaction Design Programme (IDP) | 1 | €28,060 | Bergamo, Italy | 24 | - | - | Y | Rolling |
| 2 |  Delft University of Technology | MSc Design for Interaction (DfI) | 2 | €5,465 | Delft, the Netherlands | 100 | 100 | - | Y | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 3 |  University College London | Human-Computer Interaction MSc (HCI) | 1 | £42,700 | London, UK | ? | Y | - | - | Feb 11, 2026 |
| 4 |  The Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO) | Master of Design (Interaction Design specialisation) | 2 | NOK 0 (EU/EEA) | Oslo, Norway | 10 | 80 | - | Y | Feb 2, 2026 |
| 5 |  Umeå University | MFA / Master's Programme in Interaction Design (120 credits) | 2 | SEK 642,600 | Umeå, Sweden | 10 | 90 | - | Y | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 6 |  Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) | MSc in Human-Technology Interaction (HTI) | 2 | €43,400 | Eindhoven, the Netherlands | 40 | 90 | - | - | May 1, 2027 |
| 7 |  Harbour.Space Institute of Technology | Master of Arts in Interaction Design (60 ECTS) | 1 | €22,900 | Barcelona, Spain | 25 | - | - | Y | Rolling |
| 8 |  University of Waterloo | Master of Digital Experience Innovation (MDEI) | 8 mo | C$26,248 | Stratford, Canada (online) | 30 | 5 (1-6 scale) | - | - | Feb 1, 2027 |
| 9 |  Simon Fraser University | MSc in Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT) | 2 | C$13,155 | Surrey, Canada | ? | 90 | - | - | Feb 18, 2026 |
| 10 |  University of Toronto | Master of Information (MI), User Experience Design (UXD) concentration | 2 | C$92,160 | Toronto, Canada | ? | 107 | - | - | Jan 31, 2027 |
| 11 |  The University of Queensland | Master of Interaction Design | 2 | A$121,904 | Brisbane (St Lucia), Australia | ? | 87 | - | - | Nov 30, 2026 |
| 12 |  The University of Sydney | Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts (MIDEA) | 1.5 | A$53,900 | Sydney, Australia | ? | 85 | - | - | See website |
| 13 |  Kingston University | User Experience Design MSc | 1 | £23,300 | Kingston upon Thames (London), UK | ? | Y | - | - | Rolling |
| 14 |  Loughborough University | MA / MSc in User Experience Design | 1 | £32,750 | Loughborough, UK | 39 | Y | - | Y | See website |
| 15 |  Chalmers University of Technology | Human-Centred Design and Engineering, MSc (Interaction Design specialisation) | 2 | SEK 380,000 | Gothenburg, Sweden | ? | Y | - | - | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 16 |  Royal College of Art | MA/MSc Innovation Design Engineering (IDE), joint with Imperial College London | 2 | £47,250 | London, UK | ? | - | - | Y | Jan 8, 2027 |
| 17 | Tilburg University | MSc in Communication and Information Sciences, track New Media Design | 1 | US$15,952 | Tilburg, Netherlands | ? | 90 | - | Y | See website |
| 18 |  Bauhaus-Universität Weimar | M.Sc. in Human-Computer Interaction | 2 | €0 | Weimar, Germany | ? | 85 | - | - | Jul 15, 2027 |
| 19 |  University of British Columbia | Master of Digital Media (MDM) | 16 mo | C$74,247 | Vancouver, Canada | 60 | 90 | - | Y | Jan 8, 2027 |
| 20 |  KTH Royal Institute of Technology | MSc Interactive Media Technology | 2 | SEK 360,000 | Stockholm, Sweden | ? | 90 | - | - | Jan 15, 2027 |
| 21 |  University of Siegen | M.Sc. in Human-Computer Interaction | 2 | €0 | Siegen, Germany | ? | 94 | - | Optional | Apr 30, 2027 |
| # | Program | (year) | (latest published) | Location | (# / year) | (min) | GRE(Required?) | Portfolio(Required?) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) | Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in User Experience Design | 1.5 | $40,635 | Baltimore, MD (online) | ? | 75 | - | Optional | Rolling |
| 2 |  University of California, Irvine | Master of Human-Computer Interaction & Design (MHCID) | 1 | $60,060 | Irvine, CA | 27 | 80 | Optional | Y | May 15, 2026 |
| 3 |  Rochester Institute of Technology | M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) | 2 | $2,690/credit | Rochester, NY | 25 | 88 | Optional | - | Feb 15, 2027 |
| 4 |  University of Wisconsin-Madison | Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies (MA LIS), Information Technology & User Experience concentration | 2 | $30,600 | Madison, WI | 85 | 92 | - | - | Mar 1, 2027 |
| 5 |  Northwestern University | MS in Information Design and Strategy (online) | 2-3 | $51,000 | Chicago, IL (online) | 30 | 100 | Optional | - | Oct 15, 2026 |
| 6 |  University of Southern California | M.S. in Integrated Design, Business and Technology (MSIDBT) | 1.5-2 | $93,746 | Los Angeles, CA | 29 | 90 | - | Y | Jan 20, 2027 |
| 7 |  Bentley University | M.S. in Human Factors in Information Design (MSHFID) | 1.5 | $63,350 | Waltham, MA | ? | Y | Optional | - | Feb 1, 2027 |
| 8 |  University of Baltimore | M.S. in Interaction Design and Information Architecture | ? | $45,072 | Baltimore, MD | ? | 79 | - | - | Jul 1, 2027 |
| 9 |  DePaul University | Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction | 2.5 | $48,144 | Chicago, IL | ? | 80 | - | - | Jun 15, 2027 |
| 10 |  Brandeis University | Master of Science in User-Centered Design (Brandeis Online) | 1-2 | $36,600 | Waltham, MA (fully online) | 19 | 100 | - | - | Rolling |
| 11 |  Kent State University | M.S. in User Experience | 2 | $25,200 | Kent, OH | ? | 94 | - | - | Apr 15, 2027 |
| 12 |  Quinnipiac University | MS in Digital Content Creation and Strategy (online) | 2 | $32,550 | Hamden, CT (online) | 40 | 90 | - | Y | Rolling |
| 13 |  Northeastern University | Master of Professional Studies in Digital Media | 18 mo | $54,604 | Boston, MA | ? | 79 | - | - | Rolling |
| 14 | Iowa State University | M.S. in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) | 2 | $64,804 | Ames, IA | ? | 79 | Optional | - | Jan 15, 2027 |
Finding the best user experience program for you
There is no single official ranking of UX programmes. General university rankings do not measure UX or interaction design teaching, and the programmes differ a lot in what they teach. The best program is the one that fits your background, budget and the job you want. Use the tables above to shortlist, then check each school's own page for the current details.
How to choose a UX or interaction design program
- Decide on the kind of programme. HCI degrees, often in computer science or information schools, lean towards research methods and technology. Design schools teach studio work, visual craft and prototyping. Information schools mix UX research, data and information architecture.
- Compare the total cost, not the yearly fee. Most programmes in the tables take one or two years. A few take less than a year or up to three. The tuition column shows the latest published total, so check the year it applies to.
- Check what the application needs. Some programmes ask for a portfolio, some for the GRE, and applicants whose first language is not English usually need a TOEFL or IELTS score. The tables list each requirement.
- Look at the format. Full-time and in person suits career changers who can stop work. Online and part-time programmes suit people who keep their job.
- International students in the U.S: check if the degree is STEM designated. A STEM degree can make an F-1 student eligible for the STEM OPT extension. Each school page shows the STEM status where we have it.
- Ask about outcomes. Ask the programme where recent graduates work, how many have a job six months after they finish, and if the course includes a project with a real client.
- Note the deadline. Most U.S deadlines in the tables fall between December and February. Some programmes take rolling applications.
Colleges for interaction design
These programmes in the tables have interaction design in their name:
- Carnegie Mellon University: Master of Design (MDes) in Design for Interactions
- School of Visual Arts: M.F.A. in Interaction Design (IxD)
- Indiana University Bloomington: M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction Design (HCI/d)
- California State University, East Bay: Master of Arts in Interaction Design and Interactive Art (IxDIA)
- George Washington University: M.A. in Interaction Design (STEM)
- University of Baltimore: M.S. in Interaction Design and Information Architecture
- Touro University: M.S. in UX/UI & Interaction Design
- University of North Texas: M.A. in Interaction Design (IxD)
- Thomas Jefferson University: M.S. in User Experience & Interaction Design
- Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID): Interaction Design Programme (IDP)
- Delft University of Technology: MSc Design for Interaction (DfI)
- The Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO): Master of Design (Interaction Design specialisation)
- Umeå University: MFA / Master's Programme in Interaction Design (120 credits)
- Harbour.Space Institute of Technology: Master of Arts in Interaction Design (60 ECTS)
- The University of Queensland: Master of Interaction Design
- The University of Sydney: Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts (MIDEA)
- Chalmers University of Technology: Human-Centred Design and Engineering, MSc (Interaction Design specialisation)
- University of Baltimore: M.S. in Interaction Design and Information Architecture
Colleges for user experience design
These programmes have user experience or UX in their name:
- Purdue University: M.S. in Computer Graphics Technology, UX Design concentration
- Arizona State University: M.S. in User Experience
- San José State University: M.S. in Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE), incl. User Experience concentration
- University of Texas at Austin: M.S. in Information Studies (MSIS), UX Research & Design / Human-Computer Interaction areas of study
- Michigan State University: M.A. in Media and Information (HCI/UX focus)
- Touro University: M.S. in UX/UI & Interaction Design
- University of Kansas: M.A. in Design with concentration in Interaction and User Experience Design
- Thomas Jefferson University: M.S. in User Experience & Interaction Design
- University of Toronto: Master of Information (MI), User Experience Design (UXD) concentration
- Kingston University: User Experience Design MSc
- Loughborough University: MA / MSc in User Experience Design
- Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA): Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in User Experience Design
- University of Wisconsin-Madison: Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies (MA LIS), Information Technology & User Experience concentration
- Kent State University: M.S. in User Experience
Many strong programmes use a different name, such as human-computer interaction (HCI) or human-centred design, so do not filter on the name alone. Read more in our guide to grad schools for UX designers and how to get into a UX program at CMU.