2027 Best Value Industrial Design Associate’s Degree Schools
[Industrial Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/industrial-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong industrial design education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value industrial design schools.
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2027 Best Value Industrial Design Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in industrial design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Industrial Design Schools
For return on investment in industrial design, no school beat Cuny Laguardia Community College this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $13,554. Set against $8,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Norco College one of the best values for industrial design. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Universidad Del Turabo one of the best values for industrial design. Set in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $11,250. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $7,580. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Allegheny County earned it the #4 place for industrial design. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $15,263. Industrial Design graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fashion Institute Of Technology earned it the #5 place for industrial design. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $14,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Advancing Technology ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. Located in the city of Tempe, University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,800. Students borrow a median of $27,895 to complete the industrial design program here. Industrial Design graduates of University Of Advancing Technology earn a median of $30,640 early in their careers. Set against $27,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Pratt Institute Main earned the #7 position for value in industrial design this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $40,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The New School landed the #8 spot for industrial design value this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $21,211 in student loans. Industrial Design graduates of The New School earn a median of $44,640 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Other Industrial Design Degree Levels
Explore the best-value industrial design schools at other degree levels:
View All Industrial Design Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
