2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Maryland

1

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College tops our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools in Maryland. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.

2

The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at The Community College Of Baltimore County, which ranked #2. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,182. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $18,038 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. Set against $18,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

College Of Southern Maryland
La Plata, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Maryland earned it the #3 place for design & applied arts. College Of Southern Maryland is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of La Plata. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, compared with $9,450 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of College Of Southern Maryland earn a median of $51,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,728 median debt.

4

Harford Community College
Bel Air, MD

A rank of #4 makes Harford Community College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,624 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Cecil College
North East, MD

Cecil College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,640, compared with $10,830 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,952 ten years after entry.

6

Prince Georges Community College
Largo, MD

Prince Georges Community College earned the #6 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,949 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $56,960. Set against $13,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD

Anne Arundel Community College came in at #7 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,322, compared with $11,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $13,947. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Anne Arundel Community College earn a median of $59,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #8 among the best values for design & applied arts. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,531 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $34,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

9

Bowie State University
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University came in at #9 for value in design & applied arts this year. Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bowie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,218, while out-of-state students pay about $19,938. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $28,474 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $47,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.

10

Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD

Stevenson University came in at #10 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,560. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Stevenson University earn a median of $27,969 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stevenson University admits about 79% of applicants.

11

Maryland Institute College Of Art
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College Of Art came in at #11 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $56,800. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Maryland Institute College Of Art earn a median of $48,637 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.