2026 Best Value Industrial Design Schools in the Southeast Region
[Industrial Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/industrial-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for industrial design students.
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2026 Best Value Industrial Design Schools in the Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked Appalachian State University the best value for a degree in industrial design in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $34,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial design, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $20,416. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $28,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #3 place for industrial design. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $20,500. Industrial Design graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $48,940 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. 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 industrial design graduates is $27,000. Industrial Design graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $42,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arkansas one of the best values for industrial design. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $29,966 for out-of-state students. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $23,881 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $52,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University earned the #6 position for value in industrial design this year. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $46,689. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Clemson University admits about 38% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #7 for value in industrial design this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $25,802 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $46,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Auburn University placed #8 among the best values for industrial design. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $46,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University placed #9 among the best values for industrial design. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $40,295. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
