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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

20 Ranked Colleges
1,613 Degrees Awarded
$14,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 36,854 people earned their degree in design and applied arts, making the major the 34th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, design and applied arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $29,542 and had an average of $27,114 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 6,083 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $30,399 and $27,675 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 1,613 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,689 and $18,419 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 20 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in design and applied arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent design and applied arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the design and applied arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Design & Applied Arts Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” 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 Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 21 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Mt. San Antonio College

Walnut, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Mt. San Antonio College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Walnut, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s design degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Mt. SAC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $898 for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mt. SAC.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Mt. San Antonio College

#2

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Santa Rosa Junior College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Santa Rosa, California, this fairly large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified associates’s design students in 2019-2020.

SRJC also took the #3 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $5,026 for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SRJC.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at SRJC

#3

Clover Park Technical College

Lakewood, Washington

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Clover Park Technical College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Clover Park Technical College is a small public school situated in Lakewood, Washington. It awarded 24 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CPTC, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $6,253 for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Clover Park Technical College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Clover Park Technical College

#4

College of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend College of Southern Nevada. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. College of Southern Nevada is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 55 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSN has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSN is $5,001 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at CSN

#5

Bellevue College

Bellevue, Washington
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bellevue College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bellevue College is a public institution located in Bellevue, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 31 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, BC has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BC is $6,386 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full BC Design & Applied Arts Report

#6

Spokane Falls Community College

Spokane, Washington

Spokane Falls Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 37 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Spokane Falls Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $4,799 for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Spokane Falls Community College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Spokane Falls Community College

#7

Portland Community College

Portland, Oregon

Portland Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Portland Community College is a large school located in Portland, Oregon that handed out 50 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, Portland Community College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Portland Community College is $7,669 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Portland Community College

Chemeketa Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chemeketa Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Salem, Oregon. It awarded 8 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Chemeketa Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Chemeketa Community College is $4,853 for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Chemeketa Community College

#9

Mt. Hood Community College

Gresham, Oregon

Mt. Hood Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MHCC is located in Gresham, Oregon and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, MHCC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $6,203 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mt. Hood Community College.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Mt. Hood Community College

#10

Los Angeles Trade Technical College

Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles Trade Technical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this fairly large public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified associates’s design students in 2019-2020.

Los Angeles Trade Technical College also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $6,716 for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Los Angeles Trade Technical College

Truckee Meadows Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Reno, Nevada is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s design degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Truckee Meadows Community College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Truckee Meadows Community College is $8,470 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Truckee Meadows Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Lake Washington Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. LWTech is a small public school situated in Kirkland, Washington. It awarded 3 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

LWTech also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $6,852 for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lake Washington Institute of Technology.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at LWTech

#13

Lane Community College

Eugene, Oregon

Lane Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lane Community College is located in Eugene, Oregon and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

Lane Community College also took the #18 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $8,475 for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lane Community College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Lane Community College

With a ranking of #15, FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. FIDM Los Angeles is a small school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 318 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

FIDM Los Angeles did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend FIDM Los Angeles is $37,103 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full FIDM Los Angeles Design & Applied Arts Report

#10 in overall quality

Chaminade University of Honolulu came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chaminade University of Honolulu is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, Chaminade University of Honolulu has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chaminade University of Honolulu is $27,136 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Chaminade University of Honolulu

#17

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, California
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 1 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSMU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $27,107 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MSMU.

The low student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Mount Saint Mary’s University

#18

Platt College - San Diego

San Diego, California

Platt College - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Platt College - San Diego is a small private for-profit school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 75 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Platt College - San Diego not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Platt College - San Diego is $20,595 for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Platt College - San Diego

#19

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This medium-sized school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 18 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Academy of Art University is $29,390 for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Academy of Art University Design & Applied Arts Report

#20

Interior Designers Institute

Newport Beach, California

Interior Designers Institute came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Interior Designers Institute is located in Newport Beach, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 36 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

Interior Designers Institute also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $27,000 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Interior Designers Institute.

Full Interior Designers Institute Design & Applied Arts Report

#20

Platt College - Ontario

Ontario, California

Platt College - Ontario landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Platt College - Ontario is a private for-profit institution located in Ontario, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Platt College - Ontario, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Platt College - Ontario is $22,554 for far western us region associate degree design students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Platt College - Ontario

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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