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2023 Best Value Product Design Schools

54 Ranked Colleges
1,792 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Product Design Schools

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Product Design Schools” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 1,792 people earned their degree in industrial design, making the major the 304th most popular in the United States.

For this year’s “Best Value Product Design Schools” ranking, we looked at 54 colleges that offer a degree in industrial design. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality industrial design programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the industrial design program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Product Design Schools” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Product Design Schools

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Product Design Schools.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Industrial Design

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools list. BYU is a large school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 16 ’s product design degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Industrial Design Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for BYU is $13,474 for product design students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Industrial Design at Brigham Young University - Provo

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Stout. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools list. University of Wisconsin - Stout is a public institution located in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Stout did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Industrial Design Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stout is $15,589 for Product Design students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Industrial Design at UW - Stout

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Iowa State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Product Design Schools. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 ’s product design degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Industrial Design Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $16,002 for Product Design students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Industrial Design at Iowa State University

4
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

Out of the 54 schools in the Best Value Product Design Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Ferris State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Ferris State University is located in Big Rapids, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s product design degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Ferris is $12,213 for product design students.

Read more about Industrial Design at Ferris State University

5
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Out of the 54 schools in the Best Value Product Design Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Appalachian State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Appalachian State University is a large school located in Boone, North Carolina that handed out 39 ’s product design degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $13,989 for Product Design students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Industrial Design at Appalachian State University

6

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Product Design Schools list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 ’s product design degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our product design students list, UC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Industrial Design Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $22,415 for product design students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Industrial Design at UC

7

California State University - Long Beach landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools ranking. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 34 ’s product design degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for Product Design students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSULB Industrial Design Report

8
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools ranking. WMU is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 14 ’s product design degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,371 for product design students per year to attend WMU.

Read full report on Industrial Design at WMU

9
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools ranking. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 21 ’s product design degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Industrial Design Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $16,542 for product design students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full San Jose State University Industrial Design Report

10
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Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools ranking. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s product design degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

Purdue also made our “Best Industrial Design Schools” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue University - Main Campus is $13,377 for Product Design students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Industrial Design Report

11
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San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools ranking. SFSU is a public institution located in San Francisco, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 52 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SFSU is $14,459 for Product Design students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Industrial Design at SFSU

12
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LaGuardia Community College
Long Island City, New York

With a ranking of #12, LaGuardia Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools list. LaGuardia is a public institution located in Long Island City, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,444 for Product Design students per year to attend LaGuardia Community College.

Read full report on Industrial Design at LaGuardia Community College

13
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University of Houston
Houston, Texas

With a ranking of #13, University of Houston did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s product design degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UH is $13,721 for Product Design students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Industrial Design at University of Houston

14
Montclair State crest
Montclair State University
Montclair, New Jersey

Montclair State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Product Design Schools list. Montclair State University is located in Montclair, New Jersey and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s product design degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Montclair State is $17,381 for Product Design students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Montclair State Industrial Design Report

15

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools ranking. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s product design degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

ASU - Tempe not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Industrial Design Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Tempe is $13,107 for Product Design students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Industrial Design at ASU - Tempe

16
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Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools ranking. WWU is a fairly large school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 11 ’s product design degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,070 for product design students per year to attend Western Washington University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Industrial Design at Western Washington University

17
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

With a ranking of #17, University of Utah did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools list. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s product design degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Utah is $13,572 for product design students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Utah Industrial Design Report

18

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Product Design Schools list. UMN Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 23 ’s product design degrees in 2020-2021.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Industrial Design Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $17,878 for Product Design students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Industrial Design Report

19
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified ’s product design students in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Industrial Design Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $21,301 for Product Design students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Industrial Design at Virginia Tech

20
Kean crest
Kean University
Union, New Jersey

Kean University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Product Design Schools ranking. Union, New Jersey is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s product design degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,191 for product design students per year to attend Kean.

Read full report on Industrial Design at Kean University

21
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools ranking, coming in at #21. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,411 for Product Design students per year to attend NC State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full North Carolina State University Industrial Design Report

22

Universidad del Turabo came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Product Design Schools ranking. Gurabo, is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s product design degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Universidad del Turabo is $7,169 for product design students.

Full Universidad del Turabo Industrial Design Report

23

With a ranking of #23, Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools list. Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is a public institution located in Atlanta, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 73 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Industrial Design Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Georgia Tech is $14,974 for Product Design students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Georgia Tech Industrial Design Report

24

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Product Design Schools ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UIC is $13,214 for Product Design students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Industrial Design at University of Illinois at Chicago

25

Fashion Institute of Technology ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Product Design Schools list. Fashion Institute of Technology is located in New York, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 31 ’s product design degrees to qualified students.

FIT SUNY also made our “Best Industrial Design Schools” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend FIT SUNY is $10,389 for Product Design students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Industrial Design at Fashion Institute of Technology

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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