College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

72 Ranked Colleges
5,375 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Design & Applied Arts is the 36th most popular major in the country with 36,301 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 Great Lakes region, there were 5,375 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,734 and $25,957 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 72 colleges that offer 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Design Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $5,849 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Northwestern University

2
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 63 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Purdue also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $8,450 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Purdue Design & Applied Arts Report

3

Out of the 72 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 105 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $11,505 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 UIUC Design & Applied Arts Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sinclair Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 153 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,283 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Sinclair Community College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Sinclair Community College

5
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

Out of the 72 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 43 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $14,020 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Notre Dame.

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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Notre Dame

6

Madison Area Technical College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 94 students in 2020-2021.

Madison College also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Madison Area Technical College is $10,227 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

7

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 68 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $10,364 for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at UW - Madison

8

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 38 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington also took the #15 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $12,369 for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at IU Bloomington

9

With a ranking of #9, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ohio State is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 47 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,273 for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ohio State.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Ohio State

10

With a ranking of #10, University of Wisconsin - Stout did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, and it awarded 135 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Stout also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Stout is $15,247 for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 UW - Stout

11

Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Cuyahoga Community College District is a public institution located in Cleveland, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 76 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,616 for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Cuyahoga Community College District.

Full Cuyahoga Community College District Design & Applied Arts Report

12
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, Indiana

Ivy Tech Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ivy Tech Community College is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 190 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ivy Tech Community College is $9,405 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

13

With a ranking of #13, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 83 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

UIC also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $14,105 for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Design & Applied Arts Report

14
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #14, Oakland University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 58 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Oakland University is $12,008 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 more about Design & Applied Arts at Oakland University

15

With a ranking of #15, Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Milwaukee Area Technical College is $10,641 for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Milwaukee Area Technical College Design & Applied Arts Report

16

Kalamazoo Valley Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. This medium-sized school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 14 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College is $6,303 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Kalamazoo Valley Community College

17
Ferris crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, Michigan

Ferris State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ferris is a fairly large public school situated in Big Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 112 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Ferris also took the #23 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ferris is $13,230 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

18

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 253 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC is $20,867 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at UC

19
Gateway Technical College crest
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha, Wisconsin

Gateway Technical College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Gateway Technical College is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,074 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Gateway Technical College.

The undergraduate 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

20
Western Technical College crest
Western Technical College
La Crosse, Wisconsin

Western Technical College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Western Technical College is a small public school situated in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It awarded 28 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Western Technical College is $10,884 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Western Technical College Design & Applied Arts Report

21

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 31 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $13,306 for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full IUPUI Design & Applied Arts Report

22
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #22, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

Ball State also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $15,158 for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ball State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ball State University Design & Applied Arts Report

23

Waukesha County Technical College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Pewaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Waukesha County Technical College is $10,992 for Great Lakes Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at WCTC

24
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Central Michigan is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,720 for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Central Michigan University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

Full Central Michigan University Design & Applied Arts Report

25
Owens State Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, Ohio

Owens Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Owens State Community College is a public institution located in Perrysburg, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Owens State Community College is $10,842 for great lakes region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Owens State Community College

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options