by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 80 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value design & applied arts schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the design & applied arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Moorpark College tops our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools in California. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. 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. 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, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at College Of The Sequoias, which ranked #4. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $10,288. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #5 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
West Valley College landed the #6 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,308. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
College Of The Canyons placed #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the design & applied arts program here. 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.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #8 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $6,382 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from San Joaquin Delta College generally make around $65,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino placed #9 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,139. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $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 placed #10 among the best values for design & applied arts. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $5,707. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton came in at #11 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Pasadena City College placed #12 among the best values for design & applied arts. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Las Positas College came in at #14 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Palomar College landed the #15 spot for design & applied arts value this year. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #16 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. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Allan Hancock College placed #17 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, compared with $9,892 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Norco College came in at #18 for value in design & applied arts this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College earned the #19 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chaffey College landed the #20 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fullerton College came in at #21 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,151, 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 placed #22 among the best values for design & applied arts. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
De Anza College landed the #23 spot for design & applied arts value this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge earned the #24 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $36,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Orange Coast College earned the #25 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s design & applied arts value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
