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Featured Design & Applied Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Digital Photography
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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BA in Digital Photography
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Mercer County Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools in New Jersey. Set in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Burlington County College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $47,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
County College Of Morris is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sussex County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bergen Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. In-state tuition and fees average $4,913, with out-of-state students paying around $9,294. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $17,720. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $51,280. Set against $17,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College landed the #7 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,651 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kean University landed the #8 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,713 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $35,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $26,027 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #10 among the best values for design & applied arts. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, compared with $37,664 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from New Jersey Institute Of Technology generally make around $38,975. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Berkeley College Woodland Park came in at #11 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Woodland Park, Berkeley College Woodland Park is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,320. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $23,949 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Berkeley College Woodland Park earn a median of $27,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #12 among the best values for design & applied arts. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $32,397. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Rider University earned the #13 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,241. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Rider University generally make around $29,445. Set against $26,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rider University admits about 79% of applicants.
Seton Hall University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $23,500. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $63,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Monmouth University came in at #15 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,552. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,847 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $49,709 early in their careers. Set against $26,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
