[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1237 schools to find the best return on investment for design & applied arts students.
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Our analysis ranked Seminole State College Of Florida the best value for a degree in design & applied arts in the United States. Located in the city of Sanford, Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $28,558. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $39,221. That is a strong return on a $28,558 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,839 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $13,213. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for design & applied arts. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $12,688. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $52,683. Set against $12,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Cuny Queens College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $17,625. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $19,349 early in their careers. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $19,695. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clover Park Technical College earned the #7 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,139 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $24,604 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #9 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $21,445. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno earned the #10 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $24,410 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $23,160. Set against $24,410 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #11 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach placed #12 among the best values for design & applied arts. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,215 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $37,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Northridge ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,202 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $36,736. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #14 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University earned the #16 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,057 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $31,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,057 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #17 spot for design & applied arts value this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $38,938 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Farmingdale State College landed the #18 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $27,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento landed the #19 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,750. Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #20 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,772 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $31,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #21 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $49,144 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #22 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $28,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,787 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,787 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #24 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $38,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Weber State University landed the #25 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $21,851 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $40,507. Set against $21,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for design & applied arts this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1237 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 299 ranked schools only.
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).
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
