2027 Best Value Industrial Design Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Industrial Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/industrial-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong industrial design education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value industrial design schools.
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2027 Best Value Industrial Design Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in industrial design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Industrial Design Schools
California State University Long Beach earned the #1 spot for value among industrial design schools in the United States. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $17,215 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $37,395. Set against $17,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Students looking for strong value in industrial design will find it at San Francisco State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $34,845. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #3 place for industrial design. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $34,377 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Western Governors University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial design, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Students borrow a median of $23,277 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $74,771. That is a strong return on a $23,277 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #6 for value in industrial design this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $63,449. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University landed the #7 spot for industrial design value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $34,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #8 spot for industrial design value this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $39,412. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Kean University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $26,713 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $35,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $44,602. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $18,839. Industrial Design graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $18,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Houston placed #12 among the best values for industrial design. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $47,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Arizona State University landed the #13 spot for industrial design value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $21,500. Industrial Design graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Del Turabo earned the #14 position for value in industrial design this year. Located in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $7,580. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University landed the #15 spot for industrial design value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $52,431 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Western Michigan University landed the #16 spot for industrial design value this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $27,000. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $39,077. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Utah came in at #17 for value in industrial design this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $16,344. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #18 among the best values for industrial design. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Industrial Design graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #19 position for value in industrial design this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $13,000. Industrial Design graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $33,915 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #20 among the best values for industrial design. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $44,930 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Montclair State University came in at #21 for value in industrial design this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $26,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico came in at #22 for value in industrial design this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,902 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,502 for out-of-state students. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $7,453. Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico admits about 100% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for industrial design value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $25,100 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,176 early in their careers. Set against $25,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Industrial Design graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $38,975 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,125 to complete the industrial design program here. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $39,450. Set against $29,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Industrial Design Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in industrial design:
Other Industrial Design Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Industrial Design rankings across degree levels:
View All Industrial Design Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
