2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for design & applied arts students.
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2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Delaware County Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Bucks County Community College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $27,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Northampton County Area Community College, which ranked #4. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $19,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Allegheny County earned it the #5 place for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $47,420. Set against $15,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for design & applied arts. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $34,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #7 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $17,500. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $41,382. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earned the #8 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,400. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $35,098 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
York College Pennsylvania placed #9 among the best values for design & applied arts. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $30,567. Set against $26,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #10 among the best values for design & applied arts. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $45,448. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College placed #11 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Mercyhurst College earn a median of $28,267 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercyhurst College admits about 81% of applicants.
Albright College earned the #12 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,082. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Albright College generally make around $29,793. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Albright College admits about 76% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,486. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $47,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $40,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
La Roche College placed #15 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,052. Students borrow a median of $27,078 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $54,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #16 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,307. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $46,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Juniata College landed the #17 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntingdon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,580. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,976. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Juniata College generally make around $30,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Marywood University earned the #18 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $27,362. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $25,727. That is a strong return on a $27,362 median debt. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology landed the #19 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,940 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $45,572 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot for design & applied arts value this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,155. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Susquehanna University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $42,510. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Jefferson University earned the #22 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $36,433 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Arcadia University came in at #23 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,610. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $46,764 early in their careers. Set against $26,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $93,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $43,324 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in design & applied arts:
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 · 29 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.
