2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in New York
[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.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value design & applied arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the design & applied arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
For return on investment in design & applied arts, no school beat Suffolk County Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,132 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $24,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,132 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot 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, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $21,445 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #3 place for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Monroe Community College, which ranked #4. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $27,718 early in their careers. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Cuny Laguardia Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $13,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #6 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $7,858. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $19,146. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $9,007. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $12,863. That is a strong return on a $9,007 median debt.
Nassau Community College landed the #8 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $10,600. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $18,107 early in their careers. Set against $10,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohawk Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Students borrow a median of $9,534 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $21,012. That is a strong return on a $9,534 median debt.
Farmingdale State College landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. 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. Set against $18,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #11 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Broome Community College placed #12 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,830 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Broome Community College earn a median of $41,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,830 median debt.
Adirondack Community College landed the #13 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Queensbury, Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,358 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Adirondack Community College generally make around $31,590. Set against $12,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $41,799. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.
Finger Lakes Community College placed #15 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,258, compared with $8,442 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,736. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $40,467. Set against $16,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred landed the #16 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,721 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Villa Maria College came in at #17 for value in design & applied arts this year. 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. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,395. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Villa Maria College generally make around $31,909. That is a strong return on a $15,395 median debt. Villa Maria College admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton came in at #18 for value in design & applied arts this year. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,742, while out-of-state students pay about $15,769. Students borrow a median of $23,640 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $46,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Fredonia placed #19 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $19,451. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #20 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,530 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $32,546 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #21 position for value in design & applied arts this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,879 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $34,677 early in their careers. Set against $22,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology earned the #22 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,174, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $20,692. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earned the #23 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the town of Cobleskill, Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $23,490 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earn a median of $31,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Suny College At Oneonta landed the #24 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,781. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $22,046. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $36,629. That is a strong return on a $22,046 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College came in at #25 for value in design & applied arts this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $23,689. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $23,182 early in their careers. Set against $23,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s design & applied arts value ranking:
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
