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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

30 Ranked Colleges
1,186 Degrees Awarded
$6,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 Great Lakes region, there were 5,582 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,377 and $26,458 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 1,186 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,508 and $17,812 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 30 colleges that offered 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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 for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Oakland Community College

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Oakland Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and it awarded 30 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Oakland Community College also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Oakland Community College is $1,614 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#2

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Madison Area Technical College landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 102 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Madison College has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Madison College is $8,584 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Madison Area Technical College Design & Applied Arts Report

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Sinclair Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 67 degrees to qualified associates’s design students in 2019-2020.

Sinclair Community College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sinclair Community College is $3,113 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Sinclair Community College

#4

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Elgin Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. ECC is a medium-sized public school situated in Elgin, Illinois. It awarded 11 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k list, ECC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,717 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Elgin Community College.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at ECC

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cuyahoga Community College District. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cuyahoga Community College District is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 52 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cuyahoga Community College District, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cuyahoga Community College District is $4,996 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Cuyahoga Community College District

Waukesha County Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. WCTC is located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WCTC, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WCTC is $8,190 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full WCTC Design & Applied Arts Report

#7

Henry Ford College

Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Dearborn, Michigan, and it awarded 19 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Henry Ford College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Henry Ford College is $3,039 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Henry Ford College Design & Applied Arts Report

#8

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana

With a ranking of #8, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 118 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ivy Tech Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $6,170 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ivy Tech Community College.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Ivy Tech Community College

#9

Washtenaw Community College

Ann Arbor, Michigan

With a ranking of #9, Washtenaw Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Washtenaw Community College is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Washtenaw Community College, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washtenaw Community College is $1,562 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Washtenaw Community College

#10

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

Moraine Park Technical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Moraine Park Technical College is a public institution located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Moraine Park Technical College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,217 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Moraine Park Technical College.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#11

Western Technical College

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Western Technical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s design degrees to 42 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Western Technical College has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,938 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western Technical College.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Western Technical College

#12

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 20 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Kalamazoo Valley Community College also took the #17 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $3,842 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

Full Kalamazoo Valley Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

#7 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

IUPUI also took the #7 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $6,315 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#14

Gateway Technical College

Kenosha, Wisconsin

Gateway Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and it awarded 33 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Gateway Technical College also took the #11 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,005 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Gateway Technical College.

The 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.

Full Gateway Technical College Design & Applied Arts Report

#15

Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, Wisconsin

Fox Valley Technical College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. This fairly large school is located in Appleton, Wisconsin, and it awarded 45 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

FVTC also took the #2 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,371 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FVTC.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at FVTC

#16

Macomb Community College

Warren, Michigan

Macomb Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Warren, Michigan, and it awarded 47 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Macomb Community College also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Macomb Community College

#17

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 27 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

MATC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $8,353 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Milwaukee Area Technical College

#18

Lansing Community College

Lansing, Michigan

With a ranking of #18, Lansing Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s design degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k list, LCC has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lansing Community College is $4,509 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full LCC Design & Applied Arts Report

#19

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

Ferris State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ferris is a fairly large public school situated in Big Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 1 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ferris has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ferris State University is $10,521 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Ferris State University

With a ranking of #20, University of Cincinnati - Blue Ash College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Blue Ash, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s design degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Blue Ash College has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Blue Ash College is $12,283 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at UC Blue Ash College

#21

Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids, Michigan
#25 in overall quality

Grand Rapids Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Grand Rapids Community College is a fairly large school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan that handed out 1 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Grand Rapids Community College has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,267 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Grand Rapids Community College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Grand Rapids Community College

#22

Owens Community College

Perrysburg, Ohio

Owens Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Owens State Community College is located in Perrysburg, Ohio and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Owens State Community College, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Owens Community College is $7,403 for Great Lakes Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Owens Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

#23

Mid Michigan College

Harrison, Michigan

Mid Michigan College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harrison, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s design degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Mid Michigan College is $7,427 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Mid Michigan College

#24

Vincennes University

Vincennes, Indiana

Vincennes University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Vincennes, Indiana, this fairly large public school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified associates’s design students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vincennes University, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Vincennes University is $9,522 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Vincennes University

#25

Mott Community College

Flint, Michigan

Mott Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MCC is a medium-sized school located in Flint, Michigan that handed out 6 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,332 for great lakes region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MCC.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Mott Community College

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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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