The One Club for Creativity has released its 2025 Global Creative College Rankings, and Brandcenter is honored to be named the #1 graduate program in the U.S. for the second consecutive year.
Brandcenter Rankings in the 2025 Report:
- #1 Graduate Program in the U.S.
- #2 Graduate Program Globally
Among all the programs, including graduate, undergraduate, certificate programs, and portfolio schools, Brandcenter was also ranked #5 nationally.
These rankings are based on results from the 2025 Young Ones Student Awards, one of the most prestigious global student competitions in the creative industries. The Young Ones Awards celebrate breakthrough work from students and recent graduates who are shaping the future of advertising, design, and marketing communications.
This year, 24 Brandcenter students were recognized as finalists and winners across the Young Ones One Show, Young Ones ADC, and Young Ones Portfolio competitions. Their work reflects a deep understanding of craft, strategic insight, and cultural relevance.
Brandcenter faculty Jess Collins (Strategy, 2010) and Tom Scharpf (Art Direction, 1998) led the effort to bring students into the competition, with many of the wins coming out of Holly Hessler’s (Copywriting, 2009) advanced portfolio class. The mentorship, industry insight, and creative guidance provided by Brandcenter’s faculty remain at the heart of the program’s continued success.
“This recognition is about more than awards — it’s about how our students are applying creative thinking to the real-world challenges brands face today,” said Vann Graves, executive director of Brandcenter. “At Brandcenter, we nurture both craft and curiosity. Our programs evolve to reflect the changing role of creativity in business, and we’re proud to be shaping the next generation of creative leaders who will define what’s next.”
We’re grateful to our students, faculty, alumni, and community for their continued commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining what’s possible.