2026 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other design & applied arts students.
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2026 Best Value Other Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southwest 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
Arizona State University earned the #1 spot for value among other design & applied arts schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $21,500. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,589 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in other design & applied arts will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #2. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $21,861. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value other design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for other design & applied arts graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, other design & applied arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $44,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $27,180. Other Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $49,615. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in other design & applied arts will find it at Saint Edwards University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,384 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Saint Edwards University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University placed #6 among the best values for other design & applied arts. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Students borrow a median of $20,712 to complete the other design & applied arts program here. Early-career other design & applied arts graduates make about $70,632. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 9 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.
