2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Tennessee
[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 27 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 Tennessee
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
Southwest Tennessee Community College earned the #1 spot for value among design & applied arts schools in Tennessee. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,766, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,406 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Southwest Tennessee Community College earn a median of $43,592 early in their careers. Set against $11,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pellissippi State Community College earned it the #2 place for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $43,816. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chattanooga State Community College earned it the #3 place for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $11,681. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Chattanooga State Community College earn a median of $20,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,681 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #4 place for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $38,807. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $41,968. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Tennessee Technological University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump came in at #7 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the rural area of Crump, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $6,000. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Crump generally make around $30,553. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Tennessee State University placed #8 among the best values for design & applied arts. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $19,250. Design & Applied Arts graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $34,177 early in their careers. Set against $19,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #9 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $22,859. Design & Applied Arts graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $36,061 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Dickson ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Dickson is a small public school located in the rural area of Dickson. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Dickson generally make around $35,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis placed #11 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Memphis, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $12,073 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Memphis generally make around $28,814. That is a strong return on a $12,073 median debt.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown came in at #12 for value in design & applied arts this year. Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown is a small public school located in the city of Morristown. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Morristown earn a median of $30,838 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nossi College Of Art earned the #13 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Nossi College Of Art is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $20,350. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $46,500. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $24,497. That is a strong return on a $46,500 median debt. Nossi College Of Art admits about 46% of applicants.
Lipscomb University placed #14 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lipscomb University admits about 68% of applicants.
Belmont University earned the #15 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $28,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
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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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
