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2022 Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k

19 Ranked Colleges
920 Degrees Awarded
$20,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 Massachusetts, there were 920 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,353 and $27,205 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in design and applied arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent design and applied arts programs, but they also 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The design school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Massachusetts

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 11 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard is $1,010 for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Harvard

#2

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northeastern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 64 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern is $12,823 for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 full report on Design & Applied Arts at Northeastern University

#3

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Boston University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 48 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2019-2020.

Boston U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Boston University is $13,256 for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%.

Full Boston U Design & Applied Arts Report

#4

Springfield Technical Community College

Springfield, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Springfield Technical Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k. Springfield, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at STCC, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Springfield Technical Community College is $8,473 for Massachusetts Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at STCC

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Massachusetts - Lowell. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k. Lowell, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 47 students in 2019-2020.

UMass Lowell also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $12,330 for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Massachusetts - Lowell.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at UMass Lowell

#6

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #6, University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth is located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 44 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

UMass Dartmouth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $15,219 for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

#7

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #7, Salem State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Salem State is a medium-sized school located in Salem, Massachusetts that handed out 18 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Salem State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $16,416 for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Salem State University.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Salem State University

#8

Stonehill College

Easton, Massachusetts

Stonehill College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Stonehill College is located in Easton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Stonehill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Stonehill is $24,386 for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.4% 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 full report on Design & Applied Arts at Stonehill

Massachusetts College of Art and Design ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 175 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Massachusetts College of Art and Design is $19,926 for Massachusetts Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Massachusetts College of Art and Design

#10

Framingham State University

Framingham, Massachusetts

Framingham State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Framingham, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Framingham State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Framingham State is $16,490 for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Framingham State Design & Applied Arts Report

#11

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts

Endicott College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Endicott College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Beverly, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Endicott also took the #4 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $25,921 for Massachusetts Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Endicott College.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 full report on Design & Applied Arts at Endicott College

#12

Lasell University

Newton, Massachusetts

Lasell University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lasell University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Newton, Massachusetts. It awarded 36 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Lasell also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Lasell University is $22,786 for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Lasell University Design & Applied Arts Report

#13

Emmanuel College Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts

Emmanuel College Massachusetts ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emmanuel Boston is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 10 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Emmanuel Boston, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $25,505 for Massachusetts Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Emmanuel College Massachusetts.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Emmanuel College Massachusetts Design & Applied Arts Report

#14

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Boston, Massachusetts

Wentworth Institute of Technology ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 59 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2019-2020.

WIT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend WIT is $33,202 for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 WIT

#15

Suffolk University

Boston, Massachusetts

Suffolk University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Suffolk has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Suffolk University is $28,938 for massachusetts design students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Suffolk University

#16

Curry College

Milton, Massachusetts

Curry College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Curry is a small school located in Milton, Massachusetts that handed out 7 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Curry also took the #17 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Curry College is $24,483 for Massachusetts Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Curry Design & Applied Arts Report

#17

Lesley University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #17, Lesley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 67 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Lesley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $30,430 for Massachusetts Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lesley.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Lesley University

#18

Bay State College

Boston, Massachusetts

Bay State College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this small private for-profit school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2019-2020.

Bay State College also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $36,173 for Massachusetts Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bay State College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Bay State College

#19

Montserrat College of Art

Beverly, Massachusetts

Montserrat College of Art came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Beverly, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s design degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

Montserrat College of Art not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $26,644 for Massachusetts Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Montserrat College of Art.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Montserrat College of Art

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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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