2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
34
Ranked Colleges
2,327
Degrees Awarded
$10,500
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 36,301 people earned their degree in design and applied arts, making the major the 36th most popular in the United States. 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.
Across the Plains States region, there were 2,327 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,239 and $24,704 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 34 colleges that offered a degree 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.
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.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $0-$30k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington University in St Louis landed the #1 spot on the list. WUSTL is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 74 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $1,556 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington University in St Louis.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Washington University in St Louis
Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 130 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $7,698 for plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 252 students in 2020-2021.
Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $9,766 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Iowa State University
Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Omaha, Nebraska is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 82 students in 2020-2021.
MCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $3,325 for plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Metropolitan Community College.
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%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at MCC
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized public school situated in Duluth, Minnesota. It awarded 44 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Duluth also took the #16 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $7,843 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Minnesota - Duluth
With a ranking of #6, University of Northern Iowa did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public school handed out 50 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNI has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,513 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Northern Iowa
Century College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Century College is a medium-sized school located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota that handed out 62 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Century College, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $8,850 for plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Century College
With a ranking of #8, Bismarck State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, this small public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,265 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend BSC.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at BSC
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. DMACC is a large public school situated in Ankeny, Iowa. It awarded 87 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for DMACC is $8,177 for plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Des Moines Area Community College
Saint Louis Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Saint Louis Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 52 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis Community College is $6,179 for plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Saint Louis Community College
University of Kansas ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school awarded 72 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $15,666 for plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at University of Kansas
North Dakota State University - Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Fargo, North Dakota, and it awarded 12 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k list, North Dakota State University has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $11,835 for plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 full report on Design & Applied Arts at North Dakota State University
Johnson County Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Overland Park, Kansas, this fairly large public school handed out 91 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
JCCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend JCCC is $11,535 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at JCCC
With a ranking of #14, Alexandria Technical & Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. ATCC is a small school located in Alexandria, Minnesota that handed out 21 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
ATCC also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend ATCC is $10,800 for plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 Alexandria Technical & Community College
University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school awarded 38 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
UNL also took the #14 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $11,672 for plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad 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%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at UNL
Bemidji State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bemidji State University is a public institution located in Bemidji, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bemidji State University, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bemidji State University is $10,178 for plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Bemidji State University
University of Central Missouri came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Warrensburg, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.
UCM also took the #25 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,006 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCM.
Full University of Central Missouri Design & Applied Arts Report
Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Minnesota State University - Moorhead is a public institution located in Moorhead, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k list, MSU Moorhead has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Moorhead is $12,675 for plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Minnesota State University - Moorhead Design & Applied Arts Report
With a ranking of #19, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend St. Cloud State University is $10,348 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Saint Cloud State University Design & Applied Arts Report
Lindenwood University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Saint Charles, Missouri, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
Lindenwood University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $12,948 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Lindenwood University
Wichita State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wichita State University is a fairly large school located in Wichita, Kansas that handed out 28 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for WSU is $11,687 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Wichita State University
Minneapolis Community and Technical College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 97 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Minneapolis Community and Technical College is $12,252 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Minneapolis Community and Technical College
South Dakota State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. South Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 48 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region design students whose families make $0-$30k list, South Dakota State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,171 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend South Dakota State University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full South Dakota State Design & Applied Arts Report
Luther College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Decorah, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s design degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Luther, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Luther is $21,838 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 Luther College
Kansas State University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
K -State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Kansas State University is $13,436 for Plains States Region Design students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Kansas State University
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