2027 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools in California
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value other design & applied arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools in California
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
California State University San Bernardino tops our 2027 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools in California. 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. 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. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $12,688. 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 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $32,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other design & applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $17,215. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $37,395. That is a strong return on a $17,215 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other design & applied arts will find it at San Francisco State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $34,845. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #6 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $57,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
San Jose State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. 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. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #8 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $23,709. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,709 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Otis College Of Art And Design ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Otis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,488. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Otis College Of Art And Design generally make around $31,172. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
More Other Design & Applied Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
