2027 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 56 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 the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in design & applied arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Metropolitan Community College Area the best value for a degree in design & applied arts in the The Plains States Region. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,526 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $29,902. Set against $12,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Community College earned it the #2 place for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $10,277 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $43,218. Set against $10,277 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Charles Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in design & applied arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in design & applied arts will find it at Kirkwood Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $10,519 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $32,116 early in their careers. Set against $10,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast Community College earned it the #5 place for design & applied arts. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $40,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $44,877. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $11,424. Design & Applied Arts graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,424 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #8 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $46,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,340 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $61,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College came in at #10 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Wichita Area Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Students borrow a median of $11,828 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Wichita Area Technical College generally make around $35,358. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $25,265. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt.
Century College placed #13 among the best values for design & applied arts. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $41,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hawkeye Community College placed #14 among the best values for design & applied arts. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $17,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Hennepin Community College earned the #15 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Design & Applied Arts graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $52,492 early in their careers. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alexandria Technical And Community College came in at #16 for value in design & applied arts this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $31,830. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dakota County Technical College placed #17 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,679. Students borrow a median of $13,474 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Dakota County Technical College generally make around $50,429. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $18,197 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $42,972. That is a strong return on a $18,197 median debt.
Wichita State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $33,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value design & applied arts schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $60,324. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Johnson County Community College placed #21 among the best values for design & applied arts. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Design & Applied Arts graduates carry a median of $13,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $32,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College came in at #22 for value in design & applied arts this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,601 to complete the design & applied arts program here. Soon after graduation, design & applied arts degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $40,230. Set against $18,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #23 position for value in design & applied arts this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $25,576. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $33,921 early in their careers. Set against $25,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #24 among the best values for design & applied arts. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $24,000. Design & Applied Arts graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #25 spot for design & applied arts value this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for design & applied arts graduates is $25,076. Early-career design & applied arts graduates make about $34,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in design & applied arts:
Narrow Design & Applied Arts Schools by State
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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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
