2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Utah
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong design & applied arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for design & applied arts students.
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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 Utah
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
Our analysis ranked Salt Lake Community College the best value for a degree in design & applied arts in Utah. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $10,766 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $34,227. That is a strong return on a $10,766 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,057 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $31,888. Set against $14,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Latter Day Saints Business College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,630 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,851 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $40,507. Set against $21,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah came in at #6 for value in design & applied arts this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,344 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. That is a strong return on a $16,344 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #7 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $33,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
