LOCAL RANKINGS
Educators, agencies, design studios, independent designers, human resource managers, advertisers, marketers -and even clients throughout the Pacific Northwest review hundreds of portfolios and resumes each year. Many of those seeking positions in various positions of a branding team are most commonly interviewed from the below fields of study, although the closest thing to a true "branding degree" would probably be an MFA in Graphic Design. The rankings are a result of a combined non-bias tally from various designers and branders throughout the Seattle area. Criteria includes portfolio strength (conceptual, practice and execution), presentation, critical thinking, ability to articulate new concepts and strategies, and final thesis. Though rankings suggest a higher salary at which a graduate can hope to obtain, it also reflects a prospective positive impact a graduate will make throughout his/her career. Note that wherever one ends up, it's up to the student to take full advantage of the program and to be as proactive as possible. These are based on our experiences:

U = unanimous NQ = none qualified TP = top overall DM = department on the move (up) T = tie WM = non-degree.

GRAPHIC DESIGN
2 Year.
1. Seattle Central Community College
2. School of Visual Concepts WM
3. Seattle Art Institute

4 Year.
1. Western Washington University U/TP
2. University of Washington
3. Central Washington University DM

MFA.
1. University of Washington U/TP
2. -NQ
3. -NQ

PHOTOGRAPHY
2 & 4 Year.
1. Seattle University [PCNW]
2. Seattle Central Community College
3. Seattle Art Institute

PSYCHOLOGY
4 Year
1. University of Washington
2. Seattle University
3. University of Puget Sound

MA/MS {behavioral psychology}
1. University of Washington
2. Seattle University
3. -NQ

CREATIVE WRITING
4 Year
1. Whitman College U
2. University of Puget Sound
3. University of Washington

MARKETING
4 Year
1. Seattle University U
2. University of Washington
3. Gonzaga University

MBA {marketing}
1. University of Washington
2. Seattle University
3. University of Puget Sound