by our College Data Analytics Team
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong design & applied arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value design & applied arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Bates Technical College the best value for a degree in design & applied arts in Washington. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned it the #2 place for design & applied arts. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shoreline Community College earned it the #3 place for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,115 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,905. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Shoreline Community College generally make around $62,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,657 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College generally make around $21,508. That is a strong return on a $14,657 median debt.
Seattle Community College Central Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Students borrow a median of $14,085 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $29,775. That is a strong return on a $14,085 median debt.
Clover Park Technical College placed #6 among the best values for design & applied arts. Clover Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bellevue College earned the #7 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. In-state tuition and fees average $4,436, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $33,660 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $45,947. Set against $33,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Highline Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $5,332. Students borrow a median of $8,958 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $55,459. That is a strong return on a $8,958 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $63,449. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Eastern Washington University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Eastern Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Cheney. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $21,754. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $47,144. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Washington State University came in at #11 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,802 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $44,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Western Washington University earned the #12 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $31,078 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Seattle Pacific University earned the #13 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,407 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $39,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Northwest College Of Art And Design came in at #14 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Northwest College Of Art And Design is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,100. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Northwest College Of Art And Design generally make around $27,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Whitworth University landed the #15 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,880. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,051. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $47,998 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,051 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Seattle landed the #16 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Seattle is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $25,800. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Academy Of Interactive Entertainment Seattle generally make around $24,750. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Seattle University placed #17 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. Students borrow a median of $23,792 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $63,214 early in their careers. Set against $23,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.