2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Oregon

1

Mt Hood Community College
Gresham, OR

Mt Hood Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools in Oregon. Mt Hood Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gresham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $9,819 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $18,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Mt Hood Community College generally make around $53,948. That is a strong return on a $18,767 median debt.

2

Chemeketa Community College
Salem, OR

Chemeketa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Chemeketa Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Salem. Students from in state pay about $6,345 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,040. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $15,755 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $45,440. Set against $15,755 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Lane Community College
Eugene, OR

Lane Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Lane Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Eugene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,202, with out-of-state students paying around $13,078. Students borrow a median of $18,373 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $60,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Portland Community College
Portland, OR

Portland Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Students borrow a median of $17,512 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $26,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Rogue Community College
Grants Pass, OR

Rogue Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,248. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $51,243. Set against $15,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University came in at #6 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. 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. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $35,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,995 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

7

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $23,419 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $35,614 early in their careers. Set against $23,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.

8

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon landed the #8 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,050 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $28,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,050 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9

George Fox University
Newberg, OR

George Fox University came in at #9 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,320. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $25,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from George Fox University generally make around $52,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

10

Pacific Northwest College Of Art
Portland, OR

Pacific Northwest College Of Art placed #10 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Portland, Pacific Northwest College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,006. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,899. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $19,501. Set against $26,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.