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2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

22 Ranked Colleges
1,178 Degrees Awarded
$18,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 Illinois, there were 1,178 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,274 and $37,640 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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

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 Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 3 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $3,995 for Illinois Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern University.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 0.8% 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 Northwestern University

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 108 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $8,464 for Illinois Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national 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.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at UIUC

#3

Elgin Community College

Elgin, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elgin Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 21 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

ECC also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $3,717 for Illinois Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Elgin Community College.

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 83 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $11,185 for Illinois Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 more about Design & Applied Arts at UIC

#5

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Illinois State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Illinois State University is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 30 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,999 for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois State University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k list, SIUC has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,306 for Illinois Design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SIUC.

Full SIUC Design & Applied Arts Report

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northeastern Illinois University has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $15,513 for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Northeastern Illinois University

Illinois Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 10 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Illinois Tech has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,720 for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois Tech.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low 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%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Illinois Tech

#9

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dominican University is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also took the #14 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dominican U is $17,586 for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 Dominican University Design & Applied Arts Report

#10

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #10, Bradley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bradley is located in Peoria, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Bradley has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley is $18,232 for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, 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 86%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Bradley University

#11

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Olivet Nazarene is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Olivet Nazarene not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,390 for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Olivet Nazarene

#12

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, Elmhurst University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Elmhurst is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Elmhurst, Illinois. It awarded 7 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k list, Elmhurst has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Elmhurst is $17,837 for Illinois Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Elmhurst University

#13

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2019-2020.

Augustana did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana College is $16,249 for Illinois Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Augustana College Design & Applied Arts Report

#14

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Decatur, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2019-2020.

Millikin also took the #17 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin is $17,692 for illinois 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.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Millikin

#15

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, North Central College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Central is a small school located in Naperville, Illinois that handed out 23 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k list, North Central has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Central is $20,128 for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at North Central

Trinity International University - Illinois ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Trinity International University - Illinois is a small school located in Deerfield, Illinois that handed out 8 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

TIU Illinois did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend TIU Illinois is $20,693 for Illinois Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full TIU Illinois Design & Applied Arts Report

#17

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s design degrees to 272 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Columbia College Chicago is $27,397 for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Columbia

#18

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Roosevelt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Roosevelt University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 24 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roosevelt, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Roosevelt University is $20,330 for Illinois Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Roosevelt

#19

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

DePaul University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. DePaul is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 93 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k list, DePaul has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend DePaul University is $25,842 for Illinois Design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 DePaul University Design & Applied Arts Report

#20

American Academy of Art

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, American Academy of Art did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. The Academy is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The Academy did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for The Academy is $24,609 for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full The Academy Design & Applied Arts Report

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Loyola University Chicago is $29,788 for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Loyola Chicago

School of the Art Institute of Chicago ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. School of the Art Institute of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago also took the #18 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $40,684 for illinois design students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

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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