[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 359 schools to find the best return on investment for design & applied arts students.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among design & applied arts schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,839 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,139 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $24,604. That is a strong return on a $16,139 median debt. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $19,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #5 place for design & applied arts. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $21,445. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University came in at #6 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,057 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $31,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,057 median debt.
California State University Northridge landed the #7 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,202. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $36,736. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #8 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fresno landed the #9 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $24,410 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,160 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,410 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $32,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #11 for value in design & applied arts this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $38,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #12 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $17,215. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $37,395. Set against $17,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #13 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $12,688 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $52,683. That is a strong return on a $12,688 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #14 for value in design & applied arts this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $25,572. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Idaho placed #15 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Portland State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $35,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Seminole State College Of Florida landed the #17 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $3,122 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $28,558. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $39,221 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,558 median debt.
Ferris State University came in at #18 for value in design & applied arts this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $34,045 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Elizabeth City State University placed #19 among the best values for design & applied arts. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $28,300. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
Weber State University placed #20 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $21,851. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $40,507. Set against $21,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $49,144. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #22 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,772 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $31,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #23 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $34,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of North Florida ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College landed the #25 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $23,394. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $45,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s design & applied arts value ranking:
This list is compiled 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 · 359 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 359 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).
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
