2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western Region
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 112 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for design & applied arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Far Western Region
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
For return on investment in design & applied arts, no school beat Moorpark College this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $17,075. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Canada College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Canada College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redwood City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Santa Monica College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $54,471 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at West Valley College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the design & applied arts program here. 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.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College earned the #7 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons placed #8 among the best values for design & applied arts. 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, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,139 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $24,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Saddleback College earned the #10 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College earned the #11 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,382 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #12 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College earned the #13 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College landed the #15 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Palomar College placed #16 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #17 spot for design & applied arts value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Allan Hancock College landed the #18 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Norco College earned the #19 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
De Anza College landed the #20 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fullerton College placed #21 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #22 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chaffey College earned the #23 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $6,952. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.
California State University Northridge landed the #24 spot for design & applied arts value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,202. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $36,736. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Bates Technical College landed the #25 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
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:
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Notes and References
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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 112 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.
