2023 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $48-$75k) in Pennsylvania
24
Ranked Colleges
1,282
Degrees Awarded
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.
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 Pennsylvania, there were 1,282 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,864 and $27,344 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 24 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.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the design and applied arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. 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 Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Design & Applied Arts (Income $48-$75k) in Pennsylvania
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Carnegie Mellon University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 69 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Carnegie Mellon, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carnegie Mellon is $21,526 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Carnegie Mellon University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. UPenn is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Pennsylvania is $12,020 for pennsylvania 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at UPenn
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 25 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k list, LCCC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lehigh Carbon Community College is $8,292 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at LCCC
Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northampton County Area Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Northampton Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. It awarded 28 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northampton Community College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $10,664 for Pennsylvania Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northampton Community College.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Northampton County Area Community College
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harrisburg Area Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 26 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
HACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for HACC is $12,773 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full HACC Design & Applied Arts Report
With a ranking of #6, Temple University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Temple University is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 71 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
Temple did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $21,568 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Temple University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Temple University
Albright College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Albright is a private not-for-profit institution located in Reading, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 31 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Albright also took the #13 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $17,867 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Albright College.
Full Albright Design & Applied Arts Report
With a ranking of #8, York College of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. York College of Pennsylvania is located in York, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
YCP also took the #16 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend YCP is $20,717 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at YCP
Marywood University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Marywood is a small school located in Scranton, Pennsylvania that handed out 17 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marywood, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $19,734 for Pennsylvania Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Marywood University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Marywood
California University of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cal U is located in California, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
Cal U also took the #17 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California University of Pennsylvania is $18,197 for Pennsylvania Design students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at California University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 72 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
Kutztown University also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $22,881 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Kutztown University
La Roche University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. La Roche is a small school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 14 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
La Roche did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend La Roche is $20,009 for Pennsylvania Design students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 La Roche University Design & Applied Arts Report
Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. This medium-sized school is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 68 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUP, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is $22,726 for Pennsylvania Design students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full IUP Design & Applied Arts Report
Mercyhurst University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Mercyhurst University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Erie, Pennsylvania. It awarded 25 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
Mercyhurst not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $24,488 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Mercyhurst University.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Mercyhurst
With a ranking of #15, Susquehanna University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 11 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
Susquehanna did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Susquehanna is $23,445 for Pennsylvania Design students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Susquehanna Design & Applied Arts Report
With a ranking of #16, Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Millersville is a medium-sized public school situated in Millersville, Pennsylvania. It awarded 18 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
Millersville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $22,731 for Pennsylvania Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Millersville University of Pennsylvania.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Millersville University of Pennsylvania Design & Applied Arts Report
Drexel University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Drexel is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 205 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Drexel also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Drexel is $33,921 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Drexel Design & Applied Arts Report
Robert Morris University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Robert Morris University is located in Moon Township, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s design degrees to qualified students.
RMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Robert Morris University is $25,646 for Pennsylvania Design students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full RMU Design & Applied Arts Report
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Mansfield University is a small school located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania that handed out 7 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
Mansfield University also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is $10,341 for Pennsylvania Design students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Design & Applied Arts Report
Pennsylvania College of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Williamsport, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.
Penn College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $24,710 for Pennsylvania Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Penn College
The University of the Arts ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s design degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.
UArts also took the #5 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $38,272 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend The University of the Arts.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full UArts Design & Applied Arts Report
With a ranking of #22, Moore College of Art and Design did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 46 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
Moore College also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Moore College is $41,479 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Moore College of Art and Design
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 10 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.
PAFA also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend PAFA is $47,344 for pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
With a ranking of #24, South Hills School of Business & Technology did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $48-$75k list. South Hills School of Business & Technology is a small school located in State College, Pennsylvania that handed out 5 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our pennsylvania design students whose families make $48-$75k list, South Hills School of Business & Technology has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Hills School of Business & Technology is $19,933 for Pennsylvania Design students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergraduate 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 South Hills School of Business & Technology 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
- *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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