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

75 Ranked Colleges
8,508 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Southeast region, there were 8,508 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,342 and $26,806 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 75 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The design school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

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. 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 the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

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

1
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 87 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

UF also took the #1 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $8,394 for Southeast Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Florida

2
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 48 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $11,506 for Southeast Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Florida State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Florida State

3
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Piedmont Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 180 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Central Piedmont Community College is $6,600 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Central Piedmont Community College

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Georgia Tech is a large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 73 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is $15,415 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

5
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Out of the 75 schools in the Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Appalachian State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 167 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Appalachian State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State is $13,769 for Southeast 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 86%. 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 more about Design & Applied Arts at Appalachian State University

6
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 757 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wake Technical Community College is $7,044 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Wake Technical Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

7
MDC crest
Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida

Miami Dade College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 77 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend MDC is $6,808 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full MDC Design & Applied Arts Report

8
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 82 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for NC State is $14,424 for southeast 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full NC State Design & Applied Arts Report

9

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,669 for Southeast Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend USF Tampa.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. 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 University of South Florida - Main Campus Design & Applied Arts Report

10

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Annandale, Virginia, and it awarded 68 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Virginia Community College is $10,721 for Southeast Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Northern Virginia Community College

11
GTC crest
Gwinnett Technical College
Lawrenceville, Georgia

Gwinnett Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Lawrenceville, Georgia, this medium-sized public school handed out 116 degrees to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GTC, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for GTC is $13,908 for Southeast Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at GTC

12
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UK is a large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 31 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

UK did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $16,708 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Kentucky.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, 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%.

Full UK Design & Applied Arts Report

13
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. WVU is located in Morgantown, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 75 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

WVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend West Virginia University is $13,077 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at West Virginia University

14
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 62 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $18,372 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Design & Applied Arts Report

15

With a ranking of #15, Seminole State College of Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Seminole State is a fairly large school located in Sanford, Florida that handed out 209 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Seminole State College of Florida is $10,704 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Seminole State College of Florida

16

Tidewater Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, this fairly large public school awarded 76 diplomas to qualified ’s design students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Tidewater Community College is $8,808 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Tidewater Community College Design & Applied Arts Report

17
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. Northern Kentucky University is a public institution located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend NKU is $9,505 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Northern Kentucky University

18
Guilford Technical Community College crest
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, North Carolina

Guilford Technical Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Jamestown, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s design degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,159 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Guilford Technical Community College.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Guilford Technical Community College

19
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Clemson University is located in Clemson, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 99 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

Clemson also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Clemson is $20,797 for Southeast Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full Clemson Design & Applied Arts Report

20
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of Arkansas landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Arkansas is a large school located in Fayetteville, Arkansas that handed out 51 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UARK, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $16,256 for Southeast Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Arkansas.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Arkansas

21

Horry-Georgetown Technical College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Conway, South Carolina, and it awarded 24 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Horry-Georgetown Technical College is $4,915 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Horry-Georgetown Technical College Design & Applied Arts Report

22

Chattanooga State Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Chattanooga State Community College is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s design degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $7,930 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Chattanooga State Community College.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Chattanooga State Community College

23

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Virginia Commonwealth University is a large public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 315 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k list, VCU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Commonwealth University is $18,553 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University

24
UNG crest
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of North Georgia is a fairly large school located in Dahlonega, Georgia that handed out 11 ’s design degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,005 for Southeast Region Design students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of North Georgia.

Full University of North Georgia Design & Applied Arts Report

25

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Design Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #25. UT Chattanooga is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UT Chattanooga is $15,283 for southeast region design students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at UT Chattanooga

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