2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 1237 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value design & applied arts schools.
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2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,839 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #3 place for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $34,377. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $22,288 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $33,867 early in their careers. Set against $22,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Ball State University one of the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $36,864. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Kansas State University came in at #6 for value in design & applied arts this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $43,992. Set against $23,546 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #7 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $37,755. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #8 position for value in design & applied arts this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $22,500. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $44,506. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Iowa State University earned the #9 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $35,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #10 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $46,439. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Atlantic College landed the #11 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Guaynabo, Atlantic College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,280. Students borrow a median of $5,286 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $27,715. That is a strong return on a $5,286 median debt.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #12 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,000. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $36,351. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $35,645. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #14 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $33,615. That is a strong return on a $19,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology landed the #15 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $20,692. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
Arizona State University Skysong placed #16 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $47,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University Skysong admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Oregon earned the #17 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $29,050. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $28,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $49,254. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Northwestern University came in at #19 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University placed #20 among the best values for design & applied arts. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Furman University earned the #21 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $59,770. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $36,520. That is a strong return on a $23,764 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University placed #22 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $50,570 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Hartford earned the #23 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $29,515. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California came in at #24 for value in design & applied arts this year. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $18,262 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $64,846. That is a strong return on a $18,262 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Northeastern University came in at #25 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $28,250. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $49,727. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for design & applied arts this year:
Other Design & Applied Arts Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Design & Applied Arts rankings across degree levels:
View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1237 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
