2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Arizona

1

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

For return on investment in design & applied arts, no school beat Pima Community College this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Central Arizona College
Coolidge, AZ

Central Arizona College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $11,635. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

A rank of #3 makes Yavapai College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,087. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Glendale, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned it the #4 place for design & applied arts. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,996. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.

5

Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.

6

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College placed #6 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $13,750. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University earned the #7 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,589 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

8

Paradise Valley Community College
Phoenix, AZ

Paradise Valley Community College earned the #8 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.

9

Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale Community College landed the #9 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $38,676 early in their careers. Set against $13,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $23,245. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $33,964. Set against $23,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

11

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona landed the #11 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

12

Sessions College For Professional Design
Tempe, AZ

Sessions College For Professional Design landed the #12 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Sessions College For Professional Design is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,199 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $19,275.

13

University Of Advancing Technology
Tempe, AZ

University Of Advancing Technology earned the #13 position for value in design & applied arts this year. University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $18,800 in tuition and fees. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,895 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Advancing Technology generally make around $30,640. That is a strong return on a $27,895 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

14

Bryan University Los Angeles
Tempe, AZ

Bryan University Los Angeles landed the #14 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Bryan University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,219. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $31,425. That is a strong return on a $26,400 median debt.

15

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University came in at #15 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $38,976. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.