by our College Data Analytics Team
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value design & applied arts schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best value for design & applied arts in Idaho. 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. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $13,287. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Idaho College earned it the #2 place for design & applied arts. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. Students from in state pay about $3,396 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Lewis Clark State College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $23,781. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $44,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #4 makes Boise State University one of the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $28,599. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $31,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,599 median debt. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.