2023 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $0-$30k)
396
Ranked Colleges
36,301
Degrees Awarded
$6,400
Avg Net Price*
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
Design & Applied Arts is the 36th most popular major in the country with 36,301 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, design and applied arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,426 and had an average of $25,481 in loans still to pay off.
For this year’s “Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 396 colleges that offer a degree in design and applied arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality design and applied arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the design and applied arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Design & Applied Arts Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for design students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $0-$30k)
Out of the 396 schools in the Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 87 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
UF also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $65 for design students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Florida
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 74 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our design students whose families make $0-$30k list, WUSTL has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Washington University in St Louis is $1,556 for Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 Design & Applied Arts at Washington University in St Louis
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 68 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison also claimed a top spot on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $3,981 for Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Design & Applied Arts Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
UIUC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIUC is $4,858 for design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Design & Applied Arts Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Yale University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New Haven, Connecticut. It awarded 13 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Yale is also in the top of our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Yale is $961 for design students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Yale
With a ranking of #6, Fashion Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fashion Institute of Technology is a medium-sized public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 1,400 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
FIT SUNY also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend FIT SUNY is $7,688 for Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at FIT SUNY
Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 63 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It costs about $5,995 for Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate 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%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Purdue
University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW Seattle is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 38 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle also took the #8 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $5,194 for Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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.
Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Design & Applied Arts Report
With a ranking of #9, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 130 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It costs about $7,698 for design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at UMN Twin Cities
Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school awarded 192 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Tempe is $8,969 for design students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 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%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Arizona State University - Tempe
With a ranking of #11, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 43 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” ranking. It costs about $9,872 for design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Notre Dame.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Notre Dame
Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, IU Bloomington is in the top on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at IU Bloomington
Carnegie Mellon University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 69 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carnegie Mellon, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,456 for Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carnegie Mellon University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Carnegie Mellon University
Michigan State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 97 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State also claimed a top spot on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $6,927 for Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Michigan State University Design & Applied Arts Report
With a ranking of #15, Iowa State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 252 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $9,766 for design students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Iowa State University
With a ranking of #16, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 61 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It costs about $9,037 for Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCLA.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UCLA Design & Applied Arts Report
With a ranking of #17, Florida State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State University is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Florida State excels when it comes to design quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $4,950 for Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Florida State University Design & Applied Arts Report
Austin Community College District ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Austin Community College District is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 81 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Austin Community College District is $3,264 for design students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Austin Community College District
Brigham Young University - Provo came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. BYU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Provo, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
BYU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It costs about $9,445 for design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Brigham Young University - Provo.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 Design & Applied Arts at Brigham Young University - Provo
Metropolitan Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MCC is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Metropolitan Community College is $3,325 for design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 Metropolitan Community College Design & Applied Arts Report
With a ranking of #21, Collin County Community College District did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Collin County Community College District is located in McKinney, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 149 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
Collin County Community College District also claimed a top spot on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for Collin County Community College District is $5,252 for design students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Collin County Community College District Design & Applied Arts Report
With a ranking of #22, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 167 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, Appalachian State is in the top on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It costs about $7,354 for design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Appalachian State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Full Appalachian State University Design & Applied Arts Report
El Centro College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Dallas, Texas, and it awarded 137 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for El Centro College is $3,791 for Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at El Centro College
With a ranking of #24, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 141 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
CSULB also claimed a top spot on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $6,663 for design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at California State University - Long Beach
University of California - Davis landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 228 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #20 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,006 for Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Davis.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at UC Davis
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