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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools

25 Colleges in the United States
$24,139 Avg Student Debt
$62,874 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Bachelor's Degree Badge [Other Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/design-and-applied-arts-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 102 schools to find the best return on investment for other design & applied arts students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other design & applied arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools

1

For return on investment in other design & applied arts, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,215 in student loans. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $37,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

2

California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,688 in student loans. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for other design & applied arts. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,139 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $24,604 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in other design & applied arts will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $32,240. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $17,625. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $19,349. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

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6

San Jose State University came in at #6 for value in other design & applied arts this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

7

San Francisco State University earned the #7 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $18,000. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $34,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

8

Arizona State University landed the #8 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $35,960. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

9
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #9 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,344 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $60,527. That is a strong return on a $16,344 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

10

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #10 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

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Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $44,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.

12

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #12 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $20,000. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $57,615 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

13
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #13 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $34,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

14

Tennessee Technological University landed the #14 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $17,580. Soon after graduation, other 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. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Arizona earned the #15 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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16

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #16 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $24,000. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

17
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University placed #17 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $29,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $40,119. That is a strong return on a $29,917 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Kentucky placed #18 among the best values for other design & applied arts. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

19
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University placed #19 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Radford University earn a median of $47,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

20

University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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21

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #21 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $44,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #22 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $21,531. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $34,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.

23

Oregon State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $23,419. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $35,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

24

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #24 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $25,872. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

25

Azusa Pacific University came in at #25 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $23,709. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s other design & applied arts value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
33
34
35
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
36
37
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA
38
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
39
40
41
42
43
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA
44
45
46
47
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
48
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
49
50
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Other Other Design & Applied Arts Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Design & Applied Arts rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Other Design & Applied Arts
Associate's Degrees in Other Design & Applied Arts
Master's Degrees in Other Design & Applied Arts
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View All Other 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 · 102 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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