2026 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

For return on investment in other design & applied arts, no school beat California State University Dominguez Hills this year. 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, 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.

2

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Students looking for strong value in other design & applied arts will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. 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. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $37,395 early in their careers. Set against $17,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

3

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,139 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $24,604. That is a strong return on a $16,139 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Students looking for strong value in other design & applied arts will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #4. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $32,240. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

5

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

6

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #6 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. 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. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

7

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #7 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. 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.

8

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University earned the #8 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $23,419. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $35,614. That is a strong return on a $23,419 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

9

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University placed #9 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

10

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon landed the #10 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $29,050 in student loans. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $28,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,050 median debt. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.

11

Pacific Northwest College Of Art
Portland, OR

Pacific Northwest College Of Art came in at #11 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Portland, Pacific Northwest College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,006. Students borrow a median of $26,899 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Pacific Northwest College Of Art generally make around $19,501. Set against $26,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

12

Otis College Of Art And Design
Los Angeles, CA

Otis College Of Art And Design placed #12 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Otis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,488. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Otis College Of Art And Design earn a median of $31,172 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.