2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in Alabama
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong design & applied arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 8 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 Alabama
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 Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $11,769 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $40,090. That is a strong return on a $11,769 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at John C Calhoun State Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $13,839. Design & Applied Arts graduates of John C Calhoun State Community College earn a median of $42,916 early in their careers. Set against $13,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville one of the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,146 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville generally make around $40,017. That is a strong return on a $13,146 median debt.
James H Faulkner State Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the town of Bay Minette, James H Faulkner State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,326. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from James H Faulkner State Community College generally make around $52,231. Set against $14,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Troy University one of the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, with out-of-state students paying around $20,352. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $26,439. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $46,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #6 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $26,505 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $44,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Auburn University landed the #7 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $46,585. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Samford University placed #8 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,150. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $41,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
