2027 Best Value Industrial Design Schools
[Industrial Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/industrial-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong industrial design education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 64 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value industrial design schools.
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Finding the Best Value Industrial Design School for You
Where you study industrial design affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Industrial Design Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Industrial Design Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Industrial Design Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the industrial design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Industrial Design Schools
For return on investment in industrial design, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $54,471. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #2 place for industrial design. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $17,215 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $37,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,215 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
San Francisco State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $18,000. Industrial Design graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $34,845 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes San Jose State University one of the best values for industrial design. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for industrial design. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the industrial design program here. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $13,554. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Governors University came in at #7 for value in industrial design this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Students borrow a median of $23,277 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $74,771 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for industrial design value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $63,449. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Ferris State University landed the #9 spot for industrial design value this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $34,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Norco College earned the #10 position for value in industrial design this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the industrial design program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #11 spot for industrial design value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Kean University came in at #12 for value in industrial design this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $26,713. Industrial Design graduates of Kean University earn a median of $35,673 early in their careers. Set against $26,713 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for industrial design value this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $20,250. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $44,602. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #14 spot for industrial design value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $18,839 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston came in at #15 for value in industrial design this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $47,461. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Arizona State University earned the #16 position for value in industrial design this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the industrial design program here. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $41,589. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Utah State University placed #17 among the best values for industrial design. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the industrial design program here. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $52,431. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Universidad Del Turabo placed #18 among the best values for industrial design. Located in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the industrial design program here. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Universidad Del Turabo generally make around $7,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Michigan University landed the #19 spot for industrial design value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $39,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Utah came in at #20 for value in industrial design this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $16,344. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #21 position for value in industrial design this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,462 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #22 spot for industrial design value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $15,263. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #23 spot for industrial design value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $33,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #24 spot for industrial design value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the industrial design program here. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $48,940. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University earned the #25 position for value in industrial design this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $26,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Industrial Design Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for industrial design this year:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Industrial Design. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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.
