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2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

13 Ranked Colleges
285 Degrees Awarded
$35,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Design Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Design & Applied Arts is the 34th most popular major in the country with 36,854 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 285 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 13 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in design and applied arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great design and applied arts programs and cost less that 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 design and applied arts program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Design & Applied Arts Schools

The design school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 13 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s design degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at UW Seattle

#2

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, UCLA has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at UCLA

#3

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, San Francisco State University landed the #3 spot on the list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s design degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

SFSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at San Francisco State University

#4

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Southern California landed the #4 spot on the list. USC is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 25 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

USC also took the #1 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern California are $48,715, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Southern California

#5

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Oregon. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Oregon is located in Eugene, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s design degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, UO has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oregon are $29,991.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at University of Oregon

#6

National University

La Jolla, California

National University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 1 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree design students whose families make $0-$30k list, National University has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at National University are $15,480, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full National University Design & Applied Arts Report

#7

California College of the Arts

San Francisco, California

California College of the Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. This small school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 44 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

California College of the Arts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California College of the Arts are $53,795, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at California College of the Arts

#8

Art Center College of Design

Pasadena, California
#6 in overall quality

Art Center College of Design ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 29 diplomas to qualified masters’s design students in 2019-2020.

Art Center College of Design also took the #6 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Art Center College of Design are $49,090, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Art Center College of Design

#9

Laguna College of Art and Design

Laguna Beach, California
#9 in overall quality

Laguna College of Art and Design landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. LCAD is a private not-for-profit institution located in Laguna Beach, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

LCAD also took the #9 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at LCAD are $37,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at LCAD

#10

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #10, Academy of Art University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 102 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Academy of Art University also took the #5 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Academy of Art University are $27,688.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Academy of Art University

Pacific Northwest College of Art ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pacific Northwest College of Art is located in Portland, Oregon and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s design degrees to qualified students.

Pacific Northwest College of Art also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Pacific Northwest College of Art are $35,772.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Pacific Northwest College of Art

#12

Otis College of Art and Design

Los Angeles, California
#8 in overall quality

Otis College of Art and Design landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 11 degrees to qualified masters’s design students in 2019-2020.

Otis College of Art and Design also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Otis College of Art and Design are $49,680, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Otis College of Art and Design Design & Applied Arts Report

#13

New York Film Academy

Burbank, California
#11 in overall quality

New York Film Academy ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. New York Film Academy is a private for-profit institution located in Burbank, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

New York Film Academy not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at New York Film Academy are $35,457.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at New York Film Academy

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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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