April 14, 2026

Across disciplines – from fashion and film to game design and interior design to user experience and music industry – Drexel University’s Antoinette Westphal College of Media, Arts & Design is earning recognition by respected national and international rankings for academic excellence, industry relevance and career preparation. Westphal’s undergraduate programs reflect Drexel’s distinctive model: pairing creative education with real-world experience, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional practice. That combination has helped position Westphal College, and Drexel University, as a destination for students seeking top-ranked programs in media arts and design.

Westphal’s global reputation is especially evident in design. Our Interior Design program was recognized by Architectural Digest in its 2026 list of 17 Interior Design Schools Worth Applying To, placing it alongside some of the most recognized names in global interior design education. Drexel ranks third in the world in CEOWORLD Magazine’s 2025 list of the Best Fashion Schools in the World, and is recognized by Vogue in their Best Fashion Schools for Design, Marketing, and More, reinforcing our Fashion Design program's standing as an internationally visible player in fashion education. Other rankings have recognized Drexel’s Product Design, Graphic Design, Art History, and highly-competitive Architecture programs among the best in Pennsylvania and the nation. These honors reflect a culture of design education grounded in creativity, technical skill, and professional readiness.

Westphal’s strengths in media and entertainment have earned global recognition. Our Film & Television program has earned national distinction by TheWrap, which includes Drexel among its Top 50 Film Schools. In addition, MovieMaker Magazine—a leading industry publication—ranked the program on its annual list of The 30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada, highlighting how Drexel’s program prepares students to break into the film and television industry through practical, real-world experience.

Drexel’s Animation & Visual Effects program was recognized by Animation Career Review in their 2026 College Rankings as a Top 5 program in Pennsylvania and among the Top 10 in the U.S., reflecting the program’s growing national profile and technical excellence. Drexel’s Game Design & Production program is consistently ranked among the nation’s best by The Princeton Review, and our User Experience & Interaction Design program has also earned national recognition from Animation Career Review. Together, these recognitions reinforce Westphal College as a leader in preparing students for careers across media, technology, and human-centered experience.

Drexel’s Dance program adds a distinctive dimension to this ecosystem. As one of the only programs of its kind in Pennsylvania offering four specialized tracks, it provides students with the opportunity to pursue focused study while engaging in performance, choreography, education and interdisciplinary collaboration. This structure positions the program as a unique offering in the U.S. and reinforces Westphal’s broader commitment to innovation across media and the performing arts.

Westphal’s leadership in business-focused creative programs further distinguishes the Drexel experience. Within this area, the Music Industry program stands out as a nationally recognized leader. Consistently included on Billboard’s list of top music business schools, our program is known for its strong industry connections, career-focused curriculum and emphasis on the evolving global music landscape. Our Entertainment & Arts Management program has also been recognized by multiple organizations for preparing students for careers in the music and entertainment industries by combining industry knowledge with hands-on experience in fields where business, culture and the arts increasingly go hand in hand.

Drexel’s Fashion Industry & Merchandising program further expands Westphal’s strength in creative business education. Included in the CEOWorld Magazine and Vogue recognition among the top fashion business and merchandising programs in the United States, Drexel’s program prepares students for careers in the global fashion industry, reflecting Westphal’s broader approach to aligning creative practice with the global economy. Together, these recognitions show that Westphal College is among the best in preparing students for careers at the intersection of business and the creative industries.

What distinguishes Drexel’s media, arts and design programs is not only recognition, but the student experience behind it. Westphal students learn in an environment where making, production, design, performance, research and management happen in close connection with industry practice. Through Drexel’s experiential model, including co-op and project-based learning, Westphal students build portfolios, professional networks, and practical skills before they graduate. This approach helps explain why our programs continue to stand out nationally and internationally.

As the creative industries continue to evolve, Westphal College remains committed to preparing students to shape what comes next. Westphal’s rankings and recognition tell one part of the story. The fuller story is a community where creativity meets career preparation, and where students are equipped to enter competitive industries and to lead them.