2027 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other design & applied arts students.
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2027 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Leading the list is Arizona State University, our #1 best value for other design & applied arts in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $41,589. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona 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 Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $21,861. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $22,500. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $44,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Oklahoma Christian University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other design & applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Edmond, Oklahoma Christian University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,180 in tuition and fees. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Oklahoma Christian University earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of The Incarnate Word earned it the #5 place for other design & applied arts. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $27,986 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Edwards University earned the #6 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,384. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from Saint Edwards University generally make around $30,589. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Edwards University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University earned the #7 position for value in other design & applied arts this year. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Southern Methodist University earn a median of $70,632 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
