2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Iowa

1

Western Iowa Tech Community College
Sioux City, IA

Leading the list is Western Iowa Tech Community College, our #1 best value for design & applied arts in Iowa. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #2. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $10,519 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $32,116. That is a strong return on a $10,519 median debt.

3

Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA

A rank of #3 makes Iowa Central Community College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,135. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $39,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $25,100 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $38,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

5

Hawkeye Community College
Waterloo, IA

Hawkeye Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Des Moines Area Community College landed the #6 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $13,625. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $25,265 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt.

7

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $36,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

8

Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University earned the #8 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $39,780 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $31,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

9

Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University placed #9 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.