by our College Data Analytics Team
[Industrial Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/industrial-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for industrial design students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the industrial design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #1 spot for value among industrial design schools in New York. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $8,858. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $13,554. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Buffalo earned it the #2 place for industrial design. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $18,500. Industrial Design graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in industrial design will find it at Rochester Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $34,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Students looking for strong value in industrial design will find it at Syracuse University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $27,000. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $46,181. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Pratt Institute Main placed #6 among the best values for industrial design. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $19,000. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $40,880. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
The New School earned the #7 position for value in industrial design this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $23,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from The New School generally make around $36,279. Set against $23,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.