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Featured Other 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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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. To help, we created our Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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Featured Other 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.
Learn More
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.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools
California State University Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools in the United States. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,215 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $37,395. Set against $17,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #2 place for other design & applied arts. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. 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.
A rank of #3 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for other design & applied arts. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $16,139. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $24,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in other design & applied arts will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for other design & applied arts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $32,240. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Queens College placed #6 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $19,349. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Raritan Valley Community College placed #7 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
San Jose State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University earned the #9 position for value in other design & applied arts 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $34,845 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College placed #10 among the best values for other design & applied arts. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Students borrow a median of $19,408 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $42,936. Set against $19,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Utah earned the #11 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,344 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $60,527. That is a strong return on a $16,344 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Arizona State University earned the #12 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Sussex County Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,544, while out-of-state students pay about $9,024. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $27,179. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $61,829 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $44,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Vincennes University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Students borrow a median of $14,506 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $45,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #17 for value in other design & applied arts this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $57,615. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Lakeland Community College placed #18 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $19,857. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $51,941 early in their careers. Set against $19,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University earned the #19 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. 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.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #20 for value in other design & applied arts this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $17,580. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Arizona earned the #21 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #22 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $24,000. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,462 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Winthrop University earned the #23 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,678 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,917 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Winthrop University earn a median of $40,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky placed #24 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Radford University came in at #25 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Radford University earn a median of $47,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in other design & applied arts:
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Learn about other programs related to Other Design & Applied Arts that might interest you.
BA in Game Art & Development
Get on the right path to the fast-paced, exciting world of video game art and design with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
