2027 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools
[Other Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/design-and-applied-arts-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 68 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other design & applied arts students.
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Finding the Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts School for You
The other design & applied arts program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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2027 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other design & applied arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools
For return on investment in other design & applied arts, no school beat California State University Sacramento this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $15,750. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $32,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #2 place for other design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $21,620. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $51,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other design & applied arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,215 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $37,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,215 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #4 place for other design & applied arts. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $16,139. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $24,604. Set against $16,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #5 place for other design & applied arts. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $19,349. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Raritan Valley Community College landed the #7 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #8 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $12,688. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $57,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
San Francisco State University landed the #10 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $34,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #11 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $61,829. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Sussex County Community College earned the #12 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,024. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $10,750. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University came in at #13 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $34,045. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $20,250. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $44,602 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Lakeland Community College placed #15 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,235 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $51,941. That is a strong return on a $19,857 median debt.
Arizona State University landed the #16 spot for other design & applied arts value 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. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $21,500. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $41,589. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Vincennes University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Set in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,506 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $45,976. That is a strong return on a $14,506 median debt.
Tennessee Technological University placed #18 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #19 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,344 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,344 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $30,695 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $18,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #21 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Baltimore landed the #22 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $29,681. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $63,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Radford University earned the #23 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $34,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona earned the #24 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $21,861. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #25 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,531 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $34,020. That is a strong return on a $21,531 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for other design & applied arts this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 68 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.
