2026 Best Value Industrial Design Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among industrial design schools in the United States. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $25,750. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $34,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

2

Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas State University earned it the #2 place for industrial design. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $23,546. Industrial Design graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $43,992 early in their careers. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

3

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

A rank of #3 makes Iowa State University one of the best values for industrial design. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $35,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

4

Fashion Institute Of Technology
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fashion Institute Of Technology earned it the #4 place for industrial design. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $20,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

5

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University Skysong earned it the #5 place for industrial design. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,742 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $55,793 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,742 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.

6

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University placed #6 among the best values for industrial design. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $50,570. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

7

Maryland Institute College Of Art
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College Of Art earned the #7 position for value in industrial design this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,800. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Industrial Design graduates of Maryland Institute College Of Art earn a median of $70,027 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

8

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University came in at #8 for value in industrial design this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $27,000. Industrial Design graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $46,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.

9

Pacific Northwest College Of Art
Portland, OR

Pacific Northwest College Of Art placed #9 among the best values for industrial design. Pacific Northwest College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $49,006. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $26,899. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $22,024. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. Pacific Northwest College Of Art admits about 75% of applicants.

10

California College Of The Arts
San Francisco, CA

California College Of The Arts landed the #10 spot for industrial design value this year. California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. 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. Industrial Design graduates of California College Of The Arts earn a median of $28,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. California College Of The Arts admits about 91% of applicants.

11

Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main placed #11 among the best values for industrial design. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,845. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $19,000. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $45,720. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

12

The New School
New York, NY

The New School ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value industrial design schools. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $23,606 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $39,393. Set against $23,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

13

Cranbrook Academy Of Art
Bloomfield Hills, MI

Cranbrook Academy Of Art placed #13 among the best values for industrial design. Located in the suburb of Bloomfield Hills, Cranbrook Academy Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. Industrial Design graduates of Cranbrook Academy Of Art earn a median of $38,290 early in their careers.