2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in North Carolina
[Design & Applied Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for design & applied arts students.
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2026 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in North Carolina
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
Central Piedmont Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools in North Carolina. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville Technical Community College earned it the #2 place 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. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Wilkes Community College came in at #3 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne Community College earned it the #4 place for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $29,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #6 for value in design & applied arts this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $10,867. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $34,351. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College placed #7 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $9,984. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $38,736. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #8 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Cape Fear Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #9 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,414 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $32,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mitchell Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,651, with out-of-state students paying around $8,795. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Mitchell Community College generally make around $40,450. Set against $6,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Isothermal Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,030 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,638. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Isothermal Community College generally make around $47,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pitt Community College placed #12 among the best values for design & applied arts. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. Students from in state pay about $3,871 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $19,741. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $43,022. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #13 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $38,858 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Randolph Community College placed #14 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,416, compared with $8,176 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Randolph Community College earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #15 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,536 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Catawba Valley Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,427, compared with $7,803 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $9,842. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $38,219 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,842 median debt.
Western Carolina University placed #17 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,911 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $32,842 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #18 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Guilford Technical Community College placed #19 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,320, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Guilford Technical Community College generally make around $24,827. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #20 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $29,958 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $30,470 early in their careers. Set against $29,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Appalachian State University came in at #21 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $34,722 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #22 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $48,940. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
East Carolina University placed #23 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $39,992. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Alamance Community College came in at #24 for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chowan University placed #25 among the best values for design & applied arts. Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $27,910. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $32,131. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Chowan University generally make around $30,165. That is a strong return on a $32,131 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
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:
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
View All Design & Applied Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
