2026 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for other design & applied arts students.
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2026 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Leading the list is University Of Central Florida, our #1 best value for other design & applied arts in the Southeast Region. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Students looking for strong value in other design & applied arts will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, while out-of-state students pay about $15,576. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $46,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Winthrop University earned it the #3 place for other design & applied arts. Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Students from in state pay about $14,678 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $29,917. 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. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Radford University earned it the #4 place for other design & applied arts. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, 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. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $47,271. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #6 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $36,156. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University came in at #7 for value in other design & applied arts this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $46,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Marymount University landed the #8 spot for other design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,120. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Marymount University generally make around $44,175. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Full Sail University placed #9 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. Students from in state pay about $26,906 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $37,882. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Full Sail University earn a median of $30,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
