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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

16 Ranked Colleges
483 Degrees Awarded
$15,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor's in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Design & Applied Arts is the 34th most popular major in the country with 36,854 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, design and applied arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,542 and had an average of $27,114 in loans still to pay off.

Across North Carolina, there were 2,072 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,036 and $26,748 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 483 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,192 and $24,368 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 16 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in design and applied arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great design and applied arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the design and applied arts program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Design & Applied Arts Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 16 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

#1

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Carolina State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 70 bachelors’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $7,285 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Carolina State University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at NC State

#2

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Appalachian State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s design degrees to 144 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, Appalachian State has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State is $7,169 for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Appalachian State University Design & Applied Arts Report

#3

Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Elizabeth City State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s design students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, ECSU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $1,217 for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend ECSU.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at ECSU

#4

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fairly large public school awarded 34 degrees to qualified bachelors’s design students in 2019-2020.

UNC Greensboro also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $8,853 for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

#5

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, East Carolina University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified bachelors’s design students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, ECU has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $11,026 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Carolina University.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at East Carolina University

#6

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and it awarded 26 bachelors’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

WCU also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend WCU is $9,188 for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Western Carolina University Design & Applied Arts Report

#7

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Carolina A & T State University is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 30 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NC A&T also took the #12 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $7,493 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC A&T.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at North Carolina A & T State University

#8

Meredith College

Raleigh, North Carolina

Meredith College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Meredith College is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 bachelors’s design degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Meredith, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Meredith College is $18,882 for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Meredith

#9

Salem College

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Salem College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Salem is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 bachelors’s design degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Salem, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Salem is $14,475 for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Salem College

#10

Campbell University

Buies Creek, North Carolina

Campbell University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This medium-sized school is located in Buies Creek, North Carolina, and it awarded 10 bachelors’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, Campbell has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $20,200 for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Campbell.

Full Campbell Design & Applied Arts Report

#11

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina

With a ranking of #11, Queens University of Charlotte did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s design degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Queens, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Queens is $20,485 for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Queens Design & Applied Arts Report

#12

Barton College

Wilson, North Carolina
#10 in overall quality

Barton College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Wilson, North Carolina, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Barton College also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $20,169 for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Barton College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Barton College

#13

William Peace University

Raleigh, North Carolina

William Peace University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 13 degrees to qualified bachelors’s design students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WPU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William Peace University is $20,968 for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at William Peace University

#14

Guilford College

Greensboro, North Carolina
#15 in overall quality

Guilford College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s design students in 2019-2020.

Guilford also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Guilford College is $19,885 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Guilford

#15

High Point University

High Point, North Carolina

With a ranking of #15, High Point University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in High Point, North Carolina, and it awarded 39 bachelors’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at High Point, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $33,024 for north carolina bachelor’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend High Point University.

The low student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at High Point

#16

Living Arts College

Raleigh, North Carolina
#16 in overall quality

Living Arts College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out bachelors’s design degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Living Arts College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Living Arts College is $24,942 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Living Arts College

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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