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2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

19 Ranked Colleges
190 Degrees Awarded
$30,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Design Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 36,854 people earned their degree in design and applied arts, making the major the 34th most popular in the United States. 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 5,582 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,377 and $26,458 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 190 design and applied arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree design students with aid.

Top 19 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Design & Applied Arts in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#1

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 6 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Purdue

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s design degrees to qualified students.

UIC also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036.

Full UIC Design & Applied Arts Report

#3

University of Wisconsin - Stout

Menomonie, Wisconsin

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Stout landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Stout is a public institution located in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Stout also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Stout are $16,851.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at University of Wisconsin - Stout

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and it awarded 1 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#5

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, Michigan
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ferris State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ferris is a public institution located in Big Rapids, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ferris, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ferris State University are $7,908, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Ferris State University

#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s design degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at U-M

#7

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

Ball State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 8 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree design students with aid list, Ball State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204.

Full Ball State University Design & Applied Arts Report

#8

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Eastern Michigan University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Eastern Michigan University is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern Michigan also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Michigan University are $26,552, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Eastern Michigan Design & Applied Arts Report

#9

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#1 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, and it awarded 2 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree design students with aid list, Notre Dame has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Notre Dame

Illinois Institute of Technology ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Illinois Tech is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 8 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois Institute of Technology are $30,695.

Full Illinois Institute of Technology Design & Applied Arts Report

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is located in Bowling Green, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s design degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree design students with aid list, BGSU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at BGSU are $15,823, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

Kent State University at Kent came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Kent, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s design degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Kent State

#7 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 10 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree design students with aid list, UC has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#14

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

Northwestern University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s design degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern also took the #6 spot in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Northwestern University

#16 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a large school located in Athens, Ohio that handed out 15 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree design students with aid list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at OHIO Athens

#9 in overall quality

Columbus College of Art and Design did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Columbus College of Art and Design is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s design degrees to qualified students.

CCAD also made our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CCAD are $37,370.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at CCAD

#17

College for Creative Studies

Detroit, Michigan
#4 in overall quality

College for Creative Studies ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 17 masters’s design degrees in 2019-2020.

CCS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at College for Creative Studies are $49,655.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at College for Creative Studies

#18

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

DePaul University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s design degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree design students with aid list, DePaul has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760.

Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at DePaul University

#14 in overall quality

School of the Art Institute of Chicago came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified masters’s design students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree design students with aid list, School of the Art Institute of Chicago has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at School of the Art Institute of Chicago are $43,912, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Design & Applied Arts at School of the Art Institute of Chicago

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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

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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