2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Louisiana
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value design & applied arts schools.
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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 Louisiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
For return on investment in design & applied arts, no school beat Sowela Technical Community College this year. Set in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,305. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $7,391. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Sowela Technical Community College earn a median of $45,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Baton Rouge Community College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,321. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Baton Rouge Community College generally make around $43,394. Set against $17,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delgado Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Delgado Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,279. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Delgado Community College generally make around $30,248. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Louisiana Tech University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,125 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,866. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $21,513. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Louisiana Tech University generally make around $29,146. That is a strong return on a $21,513 median debt. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Lafayette, University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,418, compared with $24,146 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $20,416 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Louisiana Lafayette earn a median of $28,206 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,416 median debt. University Of Louisiana Lafayette admits about 87% of applicants.
Loyola University New Orleans came in at #6 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Loyola University New Orleans is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,440. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,606. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $48,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University New Orleans admits about 93% of applicants.
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $68,678 in tuition and fees. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $54,082. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
