2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Utah

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for design & applied arts students.
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2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Utah
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools in Utah. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,057 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $31,888. Set against $14,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $10,766 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $34,227. Set against $10,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Weber State University one of the best values for design & applied arts. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,851 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $40,507. That is a strong return on a $21,851 median debt.
Southern Utah University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgerland Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #5 spot 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. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Latter Day Saints Business College landed the #6 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,004. Median earnings reach $50,630 ten years out.
Western Governors University placed #7 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,658. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $23,277. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $74,771 early in their careers. Set against $23,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University placed #8 among the best values for design & applied arts. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,191. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $52,431 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #9 spot for design & applied arts value this year. 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. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $33,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $16,344 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.