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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong design & applied arts education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 60 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value design & applied arts schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the design & applied arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in design & applied arts in Texas. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,835 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,478 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,835 median debt.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $40,289. That is a strong return on a $19,939 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes South Texas College one of the best values for design & applied arts. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #5 place for design & applied arts. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,694. Design & Applied Arts graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
El Paso Community College placed #6 among the best values for design & applied arts. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $8,542. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
Collin County Community College District landed the #7 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,900 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $33,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,900 median debt.
San Jacinto Community College placed #8 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College placed #9 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar Institute Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $2,844, with out-of-state students paying around $12,924. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,278. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Lamar Institute Of Technology earn a median of $50,068 early in their careers. Set against $14,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Plains College earned the #11 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $13,788 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $30,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kilgore College earned the #12 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kilgore. Students from in state pay about $2,160 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $44,322. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University earned the #13 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Angelina College earned the #14 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. Students from in state pay about $3,430 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $7,828 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Angelina College generally make around $50,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College placed #15 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $14,869. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Texas State Technical College earned the #16 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $15,679. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $23,345 early in their careers. Set against $15,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston earned the #17 position for value in design & applied arts this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $47,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University placed #18 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #19 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $54,201 early in their careers. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #20 for value in design & applied arts this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $22,288. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $33,867. That is a strong return on a $22,288 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #21 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $42,197. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #22 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #23 among the best values for design & applied arts. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $24,353 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $44,396. Set against $24,353 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #24 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $47,130. That is a strong return on a $25,508 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Design & Applied Arts graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $44,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in design & applied arts:
This list is compiled 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.