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Featured Design & Applied Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
AA in Digital Photography
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.
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BA in Digital Photography
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.
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2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among design & applied arts schools in the United States. 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. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seminole State College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, compared with $11,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,667 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $31,347 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #3 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, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $19,139. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. That is a strong return on a $19,139 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
El Centro College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Saddleback College placed #7 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $5,707. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $30,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #9 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong design & applied arts education at a price that pays off.
