2023 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
53
Ranked Colleges
5,956
Degrees Awarded
$10,000
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
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 Far Western US region, there were 5,956 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,100 and $26,477 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 53 colleges that offer 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 38 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW Seattle is $6,399 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at University of Washington - Seattle Campus
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 61 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
UCLA also took the #5 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $9,891 for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCLA.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.
Full UCLA Design & Applied Arts Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 141 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $7,573 for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, 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 89%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at CSULB
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Davis. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UC Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 228 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also took the #4 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $11,598 for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at UC Davis
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fresno, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $4,655 for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at California State University - Fresno
San Jose State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 201 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $13,378 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Jose State.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at San Jose State
College of Southern Nevada came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. College of Southern Nevada is a large school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 41 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend College of Southern Nevada is $6,874 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full College of Southern Nevada Design & Applied Arts Report
California State University - Sacramento ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sac State is a public institution located in Sacramento, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 55 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,055 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sac State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.
Full Sac State Design & Applied Arts Report
Western Washington University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. WWU is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 68 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k list, WWU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Washington University is $11,357 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Western Washington University Design & Applied Arts Report
Spokane Falls Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Spokane Falls Community College is a public institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,397 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Spokane Falls Community College.
Full Spokane Falls Community College Design & Applied Arts Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school handed out 113 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $12,992 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full Cal Poly Pomona Design & Applied Arts Report
San Francisco State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 202 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFSU is $11,862 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at SFSU
Los Angeles Trade Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a medium-sized school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 56 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,412 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Los Angeles Trade Technical College.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Los Angeles Trade Technical College
University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 21 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCSD has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - San Diego is $11,176 for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of California - San Diego
San Diego Mesa College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego Mesa College is a fairly large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 38 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $5,543 for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Diego Mesa College.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at San Diego Mesa College
University of Southern California ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. USC is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 67 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
USC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend USC is $17,345 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at USC
University of Nevada - Las Vegas ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a large school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 56 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas is $9,602 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Washington State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pullman, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.
Wazzu also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend Wazzu is $8,719 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.
Full Wazzu Design & Applied Arts Report
University of Oregon ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Oregon is a large school located in Eugene, Oregon that handed out 62 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
UO also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $13,709 for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Oregon.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at University of Oregon
Bellevue College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. BC is a fairly large school located in Bellevue, Washington that handed out 74 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend BC is $8,550 for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at BC
With a ranking of #21, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 108 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also took the #22 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Santa Cruz is $12,049 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 2.9% 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%.
Full University of California - Santa Cruz Design & Applied Arts Report
California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Chico, California, this fairly large public school handed out 143 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,040 for Far Western US Region Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Chico State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 full report on Design & Applied Arts at Chico State
Lake Washington Institute of Technology came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lake Washington Institute of Technology is a small school located in Kirkland, Washington that handed out 14 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Lake Washington Institute of Technology is $8,085 for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at LWTech
With a ranking of #24, California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Seaside, California, and it awarded 32 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUMB is $10,711 for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at CSUMB
Portland State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 83 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Portland State University is $11,059 for far western us region design students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Portland State University
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