2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in New York
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 66 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for design & applied arts students.
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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.
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2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Cuny Lehman College earned the #1 spot for value among design & applied arts schools in New York. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the design & applied arts program here. 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. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #2. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,132 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $24,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $17,625. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $19,349. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Cuny New York City College Of Technology, which ranked #4. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $21,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Nassau Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Students borrow a median of $10,600 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $18,107. Set against $10,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College landed the #6 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $27,718. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #7 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $7,858. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $19,146 early in their careers. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #8 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $13,554. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College came in at #9 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $9,007. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $12,863. Set against $9,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College earned the #10 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $18,875 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $27,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #11 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Students borrow a median of $9,534 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $21,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockland Community College landed the #12 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $41,799. Set against $11,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Broome Community College came in at #13 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,830. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $41,560. Set against $16,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College earned the #14 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $8,764. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.
Adirondack Community College earned the #15 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Queensbury, Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,844 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,616. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $12,358. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Adirondack Community College earn a median of $31,590 early in their careers. Set against $12,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sullivan County Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Sullivan County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,468, compared with $12,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,950 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $36,736. That is a strong return on a $15,950 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #17 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Finger Lakes Community College landed the #18 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,258, compared with $8,442 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,736. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Finger Lakes Community College generally make around $40,467. That is a strong return on a $16,736 median debt.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $19,721. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,831. That is a strong return on a $19,721 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Villa Maria College placed #20 among the best values for design & applied arts. Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $28,670. Students borrow a median of $15,395 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Villa Maria College generally make around $31,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton landed the #21 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,742 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,769 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $23,640 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $46,515. Set against $23,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport earned the #22 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $24,757. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $39,724. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia came in at #23 for value in design & applied arts this year. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $19,451 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #24 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $32,546. Set against $26,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #25 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $22,879 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $34,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for design & applied arts this year:
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >
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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
