2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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 29 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 Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in design & applied arts in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,057. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $31,888. Set against $14,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,066. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $41,037. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #4 place for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $76,340. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Flathead Valley Community College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kalispell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,912, compared with $11,659 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Flathead Valley Community College generally make around $45,868. Set against $16,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College earned the #6 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,766 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $34,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University landed the #7 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $21,851 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $40,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,851 median debt.
Community College Of Denver landed the #8 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $18,830 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $45,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,830 median debt.
Southern Utah University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
North Idaho College landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts value this year. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $49,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Latter Day Saints Business College placed #11 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,630 ten years after entry.
Bridgerland Technical College came in at #12 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Logan, Bridgerland Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Bridgerland Technical College generally make around $28,884. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Aims Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,199 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Set against $11,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arapahoe Community College earned the #14 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $32,100. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Governors University earned the #15 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,277 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $74,771. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pickens Technical College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Pickens Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $5,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,250. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Pickens Technical College earn a median of $35,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Pueblo Community College landed the #17 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,049, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,106. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $42,377. That is a strong return on a $14,106 median debt.
Front Range Community College placed #18 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $11,000. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $21,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Utah State University earned the #19 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,191. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $52,431. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #20 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $29,125. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $39,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $33,915 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Mesa State College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Utah earned the #23 position for value in design & applied arts this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,344 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Set against $16,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis Clark State College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Students borrow a median of $23,781 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $44,496. That is a strong return on a $23,781 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Boise State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Students borrow a median of $28,599 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $31,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s design & applied arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
