2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong design & applied arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 40 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 the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the design & applied arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
University Of Central Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,377. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #3 place for design & applied arts. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $49,144. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Baltimore earned it the #4 place for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $63,652. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned it the #5 place for design & applied arts. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $37,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #6 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $22,288. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $33,867 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #7 for value in design & applied arts this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $20,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
Kansas State University came in at #8 for value in design & applied arts this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,992. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $44,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University placed #10 among the best values for design & applied arts. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $35,702. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Atlantic College earned the #11 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Guaynabo, Atlantic College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,280. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $5,286 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $27,715. Set against $5,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $33,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #13 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 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 Kent State University At Kent generally make around $36,351. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $26,791 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Arizona State University Skysong generally make around $47,217. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Yale University landed the #16 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Boston University landed the #17 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #18 among the best values for design & applied arts. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $35,645. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Liberty University earned the #19 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $50,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Furman University placed #20 among the best values for design & applied arts. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $59,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,764 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $36,520. Set against $23,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,484. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Minneapolis College Of Art And Design earn a median of $23,687 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hartford ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $29,515. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Hartford admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Southern California placed #23 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $18,262 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $64,846. That is a strong return on a $18,262 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #24 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $34,709. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $36,191 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute admits about 64% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 40 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 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
