[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1237 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for design & applied arts students.
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Finding the Best Value Design & Applied Arts School for You
The right design & applied arts school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Design & Applied Arts 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 Design & Applied Arts Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
For return on investment in design & applied arts, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,525. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Moorpark College earned it the #2 place for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Students borrow a median of $19,613 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Seminole State College Of Florida generally make around $35,284. Set against $19,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $19,839. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,144. That is a strong return on a $19,839 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Lehman College placed #6 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Saddleback College landed the #7 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #8 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
College Of The Canyons placed #10 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College earned the #11 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #12 for value in design & applied arts 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. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $12,688. 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.
Santa Monica College landed the #13 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
West Valley College came in at #14 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #15 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $9,132. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $24,907. That is a strong return on a $9,132 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $30,979. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #17 spot for design & applied arts value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $6,999. Design & Applied Arts graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Canada College came in at #18 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Canada College generally make around $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #19 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #20 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,526 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $29,902 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College placed #21 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $11,835. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $31,478. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College earned the #22 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College placed #23 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #24 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Cuny Queens College earned the #25 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $19,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for design & applied arts this year:
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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 · 1237 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 374 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).
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
