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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 Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Suffolk County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among design & applied arts schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,132 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $24,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $54,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $19,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nassau Community College earned it the #4 place for design & applied arts. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $10,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $18,107. 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 Burlington County College, which ranked #5. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Monroe Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $27,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
County College Of Morris came in at #7 for value in design & applied arts this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,420 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College landed the #8 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #9 for value in design & applied arts this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $12,000. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $21,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $19,146. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #21 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Students borrow a median of $9,534 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $21,012. Set against $9,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $41,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #24 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College earned the #25 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $8,764. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for design & applied arts this year:
Narrow Design & Applied Arts Schools by State
[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.
