2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in California
[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.
College Factual analyzed 138 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value design & applied arts schools.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the design & applied arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among design & applied arts schools in California. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,000. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Irvine Valley College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #5 place for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
College Of The Canyons ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
West Valley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,308. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College placed #8 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #9 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $9,384. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Fresno City College placed #11 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $7,234. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $9,514. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #13 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the design & applied arts program here. 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.
Santiago Canyon College placed #14 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $5,500. 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.
Santa Monica College landed the #15 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #16 among the best values for design & applied arts. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $12,688. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. Set against $12,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #17 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Riverside City College came in at #18 for value in design & applied arts this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $8,767. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College came in at #19 for value in design & applied arts this year. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
De Anza College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Orange Coast College landed the #21 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $8,978. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #22 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #23 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Sierra College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,446. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
American River College earned the #25 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s design & applied arts value ranking:
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 138 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
