2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 230 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value design & applied arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the design & applied arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Moorpark College tops our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex Community College Bedford is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,755 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #3 place for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $21,445 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $30,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $11,995. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
El Centro College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,835 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $31,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #7 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #8 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,132 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $24,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College landed the #9 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #10 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College earned the #11 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,384. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,000. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $106,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Area ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $12,526. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $29,902 early in their careers. Set against $12,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons landed the #13 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #14 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College landed the #15 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #17 among the best values for design & applied arts. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College placed #18 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,250. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $30,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College came in at #19 for value in design & applied arts this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, while out-of-state students pay about $9,661. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $30,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #20 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $22,517. That is a strong return on a $11,795 median debt.
El Paso Community College earned the #21 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Burlington County College earned the #22 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $52,240. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
Cypress College came in at #23 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #24 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College landed the #25 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for design & applied arts this year:
Other Design & Applied Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Design & Applied Arts rankings across degree levels:
View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 230 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 230 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
