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2023 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income Over $110k)

381 Ranked Colleges
36,301 Degrees Awarded
$16,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 36,301 people earned their degree in design and applied arts, making the major the 36th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, design and applied arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,426 and had an average of $25,481 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k” ranking looked at 381 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the design and applied arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Design & Applied Arts Schools

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income Over $110k)

1
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #1 for the Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k. University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $5,135 for Design students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Florida

2
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

Out of the 381 schools in the Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Piedmont Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 180 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,710 for design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Central Piedmont Community College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Central Piedmont Community College

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fashion Institute of Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Fashion Institute of Technology is a medium-sized public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 1,400 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

FIT SUNY did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Fashion Institute of Technology is $10,389 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full FIT SUNY Design & Applied Arts Report

4
PAFA crest
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. The school came in at #4 for the Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k. PAFA is a small school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 10 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts is $42,767 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 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 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Collin County Community College District. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Collin County Community College District is a public institution located in McKinney, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 149 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Collin County Community College District also did well on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It costs about $7,040 for design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Collin County Community College District.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Collin County Community College District

6

Metropolitan Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. MCC is a fairly large school located in Omaha, Nebraska that handed out 82 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MCC is $4,315 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Metropolitan Community College

7

Iowa State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 252 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State is $16,002 for Design students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Iowa State University

8

Madison Area Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #8. Madison Area Technical College is a fairly large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 94 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Madison College is also in the top of our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Madison College is $10,053 for Design students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Madison College

9

Brigham Young University - Provo came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. BYU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Provo, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Provo is $13,474 for Design students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 Brigham Young University - Provo

10
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, Texas

El Centro College did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Dallas, Texas, this large public school handed out 137 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend El Centro College is $4,739 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

Full El Centro College Design & Applied Arts Report

11

Sinclair Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Sinclair Community College is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 153 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sinclair Community College is $4,959 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Sinclair Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

12

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #12 on this year’s Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school awarded 192 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $13,107 for design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend ASU - Tempe.

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

Full ASU - Tempe Design & Applied Arts Report

13

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is a large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 73 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech also claimed a top spot on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is $14,974 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

14

Austin Community College District did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #14. Austin Community College District is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 81 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Austin Community College District is $7,224 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Austin Community College District

15
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Florida State excels when it comes to design quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State is $9,946 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Florida State University

16
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. Salt Lake Community College is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Salt Lake Community College is $6,197 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Salt Lake Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

17
UW - Stout crest
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Menomonie, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Stout did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 135 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

UW - Stout also claimed a top spot on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It costs about $15,589 for Design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Stout.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Wisconsin - Stout

18

Utah Valley University did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #18. UVU is located in Orem, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 287 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UVU is $9,955 for Design students whose families make more than $110k.

The undergrad 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 UVU

19
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Appalachian State University is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 167 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Appalachian State excels when it comes to design quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $13,989 for Design students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Appalachian State Design & Applied Arts Report

20
CSN crest
College of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada

College of Southern Nevada did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this large public school awarded 41 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSN is $7,019 for Design students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at College of Southern Nevada

21
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 63 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $13,377 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Purdue

22

Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and it awarded 76 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cuyahoga Community College District is $4,909 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Cuyahoga Community College District

23
Arapahoe Community College crest
Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, Colorado

Arapahoe Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. This fairly large school is located in Littleton, Colorado, and it awarded 59 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,265 for design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Arapahoe Community College.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Arapahoe Community College

24

California State University - Long Beach ranked #24 on this year’s Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 141 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, CSULB is also in the top of our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for Design students whose families make more than $110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at California State University - Long Beach

25
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #25. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on this list, UNI is in the top on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $16,438 for design students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 University of Northern Iowa

Rest of the Best 50 in Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
MATC crest
Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
27
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
28
LaGuardia crest
LaGuardia Community College
Long Island City, New York
29
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana
30
31
32
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Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina
33
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
34
35
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, New York
36
LCCC crest
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, Pennsylvania
37
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Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida
38
Gateway Technical College crest
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, Wisconsin
39
39
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California
41
41
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Northwest College
Powell, Wyoming
43
44
Scottsdale Community College crest
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, Arizona
45
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
46
47
48
49
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana
50
Western Technical College crest
Western Technical College
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Vallue Design Schools For Those Making Over $110k

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee, WI
52 Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KS
53 Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA
54 Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GA
55 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
56 Bismarck State College Bismarck, ND
57 Saint Louis Community College Saint Louis, MO
58 Queens College Queens, NY

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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