2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Vermont
[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 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.
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 Vermont
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
Community College Of Vermont earned the #1 spot for value among design & applied arts schools in Vermont. Set in the rural area of Montpelier, Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,920, with out-of-state students paying around $13,640. Students borrow a median of $12,125 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Community College Of Vermont earn a median of $34,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,125 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Vermont Technical College, which ranked #2. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $41,822. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. Vermont Technical College admits about 82% of applicants.
Champlain College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Burlington, Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,850 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,885. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $38,264. Set against $26,885 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Champlain College admits about 83% of applicants.
Notes and References
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
