2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 255 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value design & applied arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Leading the list is Seminole State College Of Florida, our #1 best value for design & applied arts in the Southeast Region. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,613 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Seminole State College Of Florida earn a median of $35,284 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,613 median debt.
Florida State College At Jacksonville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,385. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $30,979. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Trident Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Florida placed #6 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,144. Set against $19,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #7 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College earned the #9 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $22,024. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College landed the #10 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College placed #11 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $39,922. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #12 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $10,864. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College placed #13 among the best values for design & applied arts. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earned the #15 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Students borrow a median of $11,693 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #16 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $16,374. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $29,715. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College landed the #17 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $44,082 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College placed #18 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $31,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $2,838, compared with $9,661 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,967 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $30,466. That is a strong return on a $11,967 median debt.
Southwest Tennessee Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Southwest Tennessee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,766, with out-of-state students paying around $17,750. Students borrow a median of $11,406 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,592. Set against $11,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tri County Technical College placed #21 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $15,787 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hazard Community And Technical College landed the #22 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $12,212. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $32,626. Set against $12,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pellissippi State Community College earned the #23 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,770. Students borrow a median of $8,951 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattanooga State Community College earned the #24 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,772, compared with $17,756 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,681 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $20,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #25 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 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), 2026 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 · 255 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
