2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Ohio
[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 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value design & applied arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Leading the list is Cuyahoga Community College District, our #1 best value for design & applied arts in Ohio. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,795 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $22,517 early in their careers. Set against $11,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Lorain County Community College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $24,490. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #5 place for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College came in at #6 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $17,349. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College earned the #7 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $51,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College earned the #8 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $19,383. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $45,785. Set against $19,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Zane State College landed the #9 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $9,405. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Zane State College earn a median of $35,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $39,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $25,100 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $45,176. That is a strong return on a $25,100 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College landed the #12 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,904. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College generally make around $42,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Toledo earned the #13 position for value in design & applied arts this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $24,923 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $52,675. Set against $24,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Cleveland State University came in at #14 for value in design & applied arts this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,875. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $24,959 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #15 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $36,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,791 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $24,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $35,645. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Cedarville University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #19 spot for design & applied arts value this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $25,851. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $52,526 early in their careers. Set against $25,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Miami University Oxford came in at #20 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $47,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Baldwin Wallace College earned the #21 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,307 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $31,749 early in their careers. Set against $27,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Cleveland Institute Of Art earned the #22 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,700. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cleveland Institute Of Art earn a median of $23,358 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus College Of Art And Design came in at #23 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,825. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Columbus College Of Art And Design generally make around $27,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Dayton ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Xavier University earned the #25 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,425. Students borrow a median of $26,614 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $55,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s design & applied arts value ranking:
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
