2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Pennsylvania
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 64 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 Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
For return on investment in design & applied arts, no school beat Delaware County Community College this year. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,866 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Set against $14,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bucks County Community College earned it the #2 place for design & applied arts. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $13,068. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Lehigh Carbon Community College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $27,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Community College Of Allegheny County one of the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northampton County Area Community College earned it the #5 place for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $19,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #6 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $34,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg landed the #7 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology placed #8 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,400. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $28,375. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology generally make around $35,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $47,049. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $40,286. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Albright College placed #12 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Reading, Albright College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,082. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Albright College earn a median of $29,793 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Marywood University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Marywood University generally make around $25,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.
Point Park University came in at #14 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,570. Students borrow a median of $28,323 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Point Park University earn a median of $40,759 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,323 median debt. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Harcum College earned the #15 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. In-state tuition and fees average $32,000. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,756 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $40,238. Set against $26,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #16 among the best values for design & applied arts. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Williamsport. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $45,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Robert Morris University placed #17 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $29,488 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Mercyhurst College placed #18 among the best values for design & applied arts. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Mercyhurst College generally make around $28,267. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercyhurst College admits about 81% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University placed #19 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $36,433. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Temple University came in at #20 for value in design & applied arts this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,875. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $43,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #22 for value in design & applied arts this year. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $93,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in design & applied arts this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design landed the #24 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,150. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design earn a median of $25,830 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University placed #25 among the best values for design & applied arts. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $70,321. That is a strong return on a $23,008 median debt. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for design & applied arts this year:
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
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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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
