2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for design & applied arts students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Leading the list is Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best value for design & applied arts in the Rocky Mountains Region. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #2 place for design & applied arts. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,766 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $34,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #3 place for design & applied arts. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,057 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $31,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest College earned it the #4 place for design & applied arts. Northwest College is a small public school located in the town of Powell. Students from in state pay about $4,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,262 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,996 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #5 place for design & applied arts. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,471. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aims Community College landed the #6 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $11,199. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $45,909. That is a strong return on a $11,199 median debt.
Latter Day Saints Business College earned the #7 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,004. Median earnings reach $50,630 ten years out.
Weber State University placed #8 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $21,851 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $40,507. That is a strong return on a $21,851 median debt.
Community College Of Denver placed #9 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Students borrow a median of $18,830 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $45,202. Set against $18,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,066. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $41,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arapahoe Community College earned the #11 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Arapahoe Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,434, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College generally make around $32,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College placed #12 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $21,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pickens Technical College landed the #13 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Pickens Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Aurora. In-state tuition and fees average $5,140, while out-of-state students pay about $9,250. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $35,622. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University landed the #14 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
North Idaho College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Utah landed the #16 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,344. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $60,527. Set against $16,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #17 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,125 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $39,450. That is a strong return on a $29,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #18 for value in design & applied arts this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $33,915. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Boise State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $28,599. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $31,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,599 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University placed #20 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Students borrow a median of $18,880 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $36,931. Set against $18,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design landed the #21 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Rocky Mountain College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,190. Students borrow a median of $46,544 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $29,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Denver placed #22 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $31,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Narrow Design & Applied Arts Schools by State
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
