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

24 Ranked Colleges
558 Degrees Awarded
$12,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States 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 Plains States region, there were 2,352 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,931 and $22,419 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 558 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,069 and $19,434 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 24 colleges that offer a degree 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.

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 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 Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 24 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Metropolitan Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Metropolitan Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 54 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MCC, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $2,963 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Metropolitan Community College.

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

#2

Bismarck State College

Bismarck, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bismarck State College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Bismarck, North Dakota, this small public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified associates’s design students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BSC, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BSC is $6,514 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Bismarck State College Design & Applied Arts Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Alexandria Technical & Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. ATCC is a small school located in Alexandria, Minnesota that handed out 32 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k list, ATCC has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,859 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ATCC.

Full ATCC Design & Applied Arts Report

#4

North Hennepin Community College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, North Hennepin Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. North Hennepin Community College is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

North Hennepin Community College also took the #6 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Hennepin Community College is $9,195 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full North Hennepin Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southeast Community College Area landed the #5 spot on the list. Southeast Community College is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Southeast Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $7,573 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southeast Community College.

Full Southeast Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

#6

Century College

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

With a ranking of #6, Century College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 37 diplomas to qualified associates’s design students in 2019-2020.

Century College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Century College is $9,441 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Century College

Des Moines Area Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution located in Ankeny, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 33 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

DMACC also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $8,543 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Des Moines Area Community College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at DMACC

With a ranking of #8, Western Iowa Tech Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sioux City, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s design degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Western Iowa Tech Community College also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Western Iowa Tech Community College is $5,287 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Western Iowa Tech Community College

#9

Northeast Community College

Norfolk, Nebraska

Northeast Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northeast is located in Norfolk, Nebraska and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northeast has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northeast Community College is $6,473 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Northeast

#10

Saint Louis Community College

Saint Louis, Missouri

Saint Louis Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Louis Community College is a public institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 38 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Saint Louis Community College, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Louis Community College is $7,013 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Saint Louis Community College

#11

Dakota County Technical College

Rosemount, Minnesota

Dakota County Technical College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. DCTC is a small public school situated in Rosemount, Minnesota. It awarded 16 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

DCTC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend DCTC is $9,186 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Dakota County Technical College

#12

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, Minnesota
#10 in overall quality

Hennepin Technical College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and it awarded 6 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Hennepin Technical College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,421 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Hennepin Technical College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Hennepin Technical College

#13

Kirkwood Community College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Kirkwood Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this fairly large public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified associates’s design students in 2019-2020.

Kirkwood Community College also took the #15 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $8,831 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kirkwood Community College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Kirkwood Community College

#14

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, Kansas

Johnson County Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Johnson County Community College is located in Overland Park, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 77 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k list, JCCC has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,992 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Johnson County Community College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at JCCC

With a ranking of #15, Iowa Central Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fort Dodge, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s design degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Iowa Central Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $8,734 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa Central Community College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Iowa Central Community College

#16

Washburn University

Topeka, Kansas
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Washburn University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Topeka, Kansas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s design degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Washburn University also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Washburn University is $12,850 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Washburn University Design & Applied Arts Report

Minneapolis Community and Technical College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Minneapolis Community and Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 32 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Minneapolis Community and Technical College is $12,045 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Minneapolis Community and Technical College

#18

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota
#2 in overall quality

University of South Dakota landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s design degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

USD also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Dakota is $15,866 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full USD Design & Applied Arts Report

#19

Rasmussen University - Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Rasmussen University - Minnesota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rasmussen University - Minnesota is located in St. Cloud, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

Rasmussen University - Minnesota also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Rasmussen University - Minnesota is $17,395 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Rasmussen University - Minnesota

#20

Dunwoody College of Technology

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dunwoody College of Technology ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 5 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Dunwoody College of Technology not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $21,345 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Dunwoody College of Technology.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Dunwoody College of Technology Design & Applied Arts Report

#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Rasmussen University - North Dakota did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rasmussen University - North Dakota is a small school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 3 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Rasmussen University - North Dakota also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Rasmussen University - North Dakota is $16,565 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Rasmussen University - North Dakota Design & Applied Arts Report

#23 in overall quality

Stevens - The Institute of Business & Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this small private for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified associates’s design students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Siba, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Siba is $21,201 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

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.

Full Siba Design & Applied Arts Report

#24 in overall quality

Rasmussen University - Kansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Rasmussen University - Kansas is a small private for-profit school situated in Topeka, Kansas. It awarded 5 associates’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Rasmussen University - Kansas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Rasmussen University - Kansas is $17,276 for plains states region associate degree design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Rasmussen University - Kansas

#24

The Creative Center

Omaha, Nebraska
#22 in overall quality

The Creative Center came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for an Associate in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The Creative Center is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 associates’s design degrees to qualified students.

Creative Center did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Creative Center is $35,562 for Plains States Region Associate Degree Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Creative Center Design & Applied Arts Report

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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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