2026 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Other Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/design-and-applied-arts-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 102 schools to find the best return on investment for other design & applied arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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 Long Beach this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,215 in student loans. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $37,395 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,688 in student loans. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. 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. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,139 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $24,604 early in their careers. 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 California State University Sacramento, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $32,240. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. 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. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $17,625. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $19,349. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #6 for value in other design & applied arts this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
San Francisco State University earned the #7 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $18,000. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $34,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #8 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $35,960. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Utah placed #9 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #10 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $44,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #12 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $20,000. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $57,615 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Ferris State University earned the #13 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $34,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #14 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $17,580. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #15 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. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #16 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University placed #17 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $29,917 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $40,119. That is a strong return on a $29,917 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky placed #18 among the best values for other design & applied arts. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Radford University placed #19 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, compared with $25,633 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 Radford University earn a median of $47,271 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $40,615 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #21 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $44,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #22 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $21,531. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $34,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Oregon State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $23,419. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $35,614. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #24 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $25,872. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #25 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $23,709. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s other design & applied arts value ranking:
Other Other Design & Applied Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Design & Applied Arts rankings across degree levels:
View All Other Design & Applied Arts Rankings >
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 · 102 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
