[Industrial Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/industrial-design/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 83 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value industrial design schools.
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Finding the Best Value Industrial Design School for You
The right industrial design school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Industrial Design Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Industrial Design Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $17,215 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $37,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,215 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $12,250. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $63,449. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #4 place for industrial design. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $18,000. Industrial Design graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $34,845 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Utah came in at #6 for value in industrial design this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $16,344 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $60,527. That is a strong return on a $16,344 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #7 position for value in industrial design this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $13,554. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #8 position for value in industrial design this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,377. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $41,589. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Kean University placed #10 among the best values for industrial design. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $26,713. Industrial Design graduates of Kean University earn a median of $35,673 early in their careers. Set against $26,713 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Jackson Community College placed #11 among the best values for industrial design. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $10,200 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $16,960. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Jackson Community College generally make around $41,322. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
Bunker Hill Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $11,893. Industrial Design graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. Set against $11,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the industrial design program here. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $44,602. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Ferris State University earned the #14 position for value in industrial design this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Industrial Design graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $34,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Community College Of Allegheny County ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
University Of Houston placed #16 among the best values for industrial design. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $47,461. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Wichita State University earned the #17 position for value in industrial design this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $49,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Universidad Del Turabo placed #18 among the best values for industrial design. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $7,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montclair State University came in at #19 for value in industrial design this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Industrial Design graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $26,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #20 for value in industrial design this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $18,839. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #21 spot for industrial design value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $33,915. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #22 among the best values for industrial design. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $25,257. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #23 position for value in industrial design this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $48,940. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #24 for value in industrial design this year. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,418, with out-of-state students paying around $24,146. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $20,416 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Lafayette generally make around $28,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools. Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico is a small public school located in the city of San Juan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,902, compared with $8,502 for out-of-state students. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $7,453. Escuela De Artes Plasticas De Puerto Rico admits about 100% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Industrial Design Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s industrial design value ranking:
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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 46 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).
[Industrial Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/industrial-design/) 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.
