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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

22 Ranked Colleges
558 Degrees Awarded
$16,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 36,854 people earned their degree in design and applied arts, making the major the 34th most popular in the United States. 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 the Plains States region, there were 2,352 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,931 and $22,419 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 558 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,069 and $19,434 respectively.

This year’s “Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in design and applied arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality design and applied arts programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k.

Top 22 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income Over $110k) in the Plains States Region

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 54 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

MCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for MCC is $4,295 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Metropolitan Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Alexandria Technical & Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. ATCC is a small public school situated in Alexandria, Minnesota. It awarded 32 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k list, ATCC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,550 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend ATCC.

Full ATCC Design & Applied Arts Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Des Moines Area Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. This large school is located in Ankeny, Iowa, and it awarded 33 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

DMACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,076 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Des Moines Area Community College.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Des Moines Area Community College

#4

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bismarck State College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. BSC is a small school located in Bismarck, North Dakota that handed out 13 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

BSC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend BSC is $9,420 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Bismarck State College

#5

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Hennepin Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k. North Hennepin Community College is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

North Hennepin Community College also took the #6 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Hennepin Community College is $10,284 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k.

Full North Hennepin Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #6. This medium-sized school is located in Sioux City, Iowa, and it awarded 7 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Western Iowa Tech Community College also took the #17 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,201 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Western Iowa Tech Community College

#7

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, Kansas

Johnson County Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. JCCC is located in Overland Park, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 77 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

JCCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,632 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Johnson County Community College.

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

With a ranking of #8, Southeast Community College Area did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 2 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Southeast Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Southeast Community College Area is $9,059 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Southeast Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

#9

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Century College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and it awarded 37 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Century College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $10,808 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Century College

#10

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Saint Louis Community College is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k list, Saint Louis Community College has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Louis Community College is $6,796 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Saint Louis Community College

#11

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska

With a ranking of #11, Northeast Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Norfolk, Nebraska, and it awarded 12 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeast not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $8,749 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Northeast.

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

#12

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
#10 in overall quality

Hennepin Technical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. This small school is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and it awarded 6 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Hennepin Technical College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hennepin Technical College is $11,796 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Hennepin Technical College Design & Applied Arts Report

#13

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Kirkwood Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Kirkwood Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It awarded 13 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College also took the #15 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kirkwood Community College is $10,939 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k.

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

#14

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, Minnesota

Dakota County Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Dakota County Technical College is a small school located in Rosemount, Minnesota that handed out 16 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

DCTC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Dakota County Technical College is $11,063 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Dakota County Technical College Design & Applied Arts Report

#15

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#2 in overall quality

University of South Dakota ranked #15 on this year’s Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Vermillion, South Dakota, and it awarded 2 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

USD also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for USD is $18,555 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at University of South Dakota

#16

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas
#9 in overall quality

Washburn University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Washburn University is a medium-sized school located in Topeka, Kansas that handed out 10 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Washburn University, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washburn University is $14,481 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k.

Full Washburn University Design & Applied Arts Report

Iowa Central Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Iowa Central Community College is a small public school situated in Fort Dodge, Iowa. It awarded 5 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa Central Community College, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa Central Community College is $10,102 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Iowa Central Community College

With a ranking of #18, Minneapolis Community and Technical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 32 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,376 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

Full Minneapolis Community and Technical College Design & Applied Arts Report

#19

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
#18 in overall quality

Rasmussen University - Minnesota landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is a private for-profit institution located in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rasmussen University - Minnesota, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rasmussen University - Minnesota is $18,586 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Rasmussen University - Minnesota Design & Applied Arts Report

#20

Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dunwoody College of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking, coming in at #20. Dunwoody College of Technology is a small school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 5 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Dunwoody College of Technology also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Dunwoody College of Technology is $24,488 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Dunwoody College of Technology Design & Applied Arts Report

#20 in overall quality

Rasmussen University - North Dakota ranked #21 on this year’s Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k list. Rasmussen University - North Dakota is located in Fargo, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

Rasmussen University - North Dakota also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $18,939 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k per year to attend Rasmussen University - North Dakota.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Rasmussen University - North Dakota

#22

The Creative Center

Omaha, Nebraska
#22 in overall quality

The Creative Center came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Vallue Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making Over $110k ranking. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this small private for-profit school handed out 13 degrees to qualified associates’s design students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Creative Center, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The Creative Center is $38,413 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make more than $110k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full The Creative Center Design & Applied Arts Report

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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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