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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 Missouri
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
Our analysis ranked St Charles Community College the best value for a degree in design & applied arts in Missouri. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Louis Community College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,424 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $25,929. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for design & applied arts. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $23,741. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Missouri Western State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $24,362. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $37,200 early in their careers. Set against $24,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Park University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,116. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Park University generally make around $46,340. Set against $20,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $25,576 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $33,921. That is a strong return on a $25,576 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #7 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $23,585. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #8 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,477 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $33,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lindenwood University placed #9 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $28,663 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,663 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Drury University earned the #10 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Drury University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $36,745 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,641 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $37,267. That is a strong return on a $26,641 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #11 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $33,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,089 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts placed #12 among the best values for design & applied arts. Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $14,332 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,058 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #13 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $24,621. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $39,623. Set against $24,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Webster University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,550 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $20,257. Set against $25,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Kansas City Art Institute came in at #15 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,550 in tuition and fees. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Kansas City Art Institute generally make around $29,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas City Art Institute admits about 55% of applicants.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 32 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.
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong design & applied arts education at a price that pays off.
