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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Industrial Design Schools in the Far Western Region

7 Colleges in the United States
$22,998 Avg Student Debt
$61,543 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Industrial Design Badge [Industrial Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/industrial-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong industrial design education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for industrial design students.

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2026 Best Value Industrial Design Schools in the Far Western Region

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

Best Value Industrial Design Schools

1

Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in industrial design in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the industrial design program here. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

2

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial design, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $17,215 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $37,395. Set against $17,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in industrial design will find it at San Francisco State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $34,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for industrial design. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $63,449. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

5

San Jose State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

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6

Western Washington University earned the #6 position for value in industrial design this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $20,000. Industrial Design graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $31,078 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

7
Walla Walla University crest
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA

Walla Walla University landed the #7 spot for industrial design value this year. Set in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,227. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Walla Walla University generally make around $28,436. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt.

8

Pacific Northwest College Of Art earned the #8 position for value in industrial design this year. Located in the city of Portland, Pacific Northwest College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,006. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Pacific Northwest College Of Art generally make around $22,024. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

9

California College Of The Arts placed #9 among the best values for industrial design. Set in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,226. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $28,673. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

10

Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,000. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $21,833. Industrial Design graduates of Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles earn a median of $25,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Otis College Of Art And Design landed the #11 spot for industrial design value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Otis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,488. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of Otis College Of Art And Design earn a median of $31,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

12

Newschool Of Architecture And Design came in at #12 for value in industrial design this year. Newschool Of Architecture And Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $30,291. Students borrow a median of $39,251 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of Newschool Of Architecture And Design earn a median of $37,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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