2027 Best Value Digital Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
[Digital Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/digital-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for digital arts students.
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2027 Best Value Digital Arts Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in digital arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Digital Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in digital arts in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $9,541 in student loans. Digital Arts graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $25,344 early in their careers. Set against $9,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in digital arts will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $10,000. Digital Arts graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $29,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes New Mexico State University Dona Ana one of the best values for digital arts. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Students borrow a median of $10,284 to complete the digital arts program here. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $39,399. That is a strong return on a $10,284 median debt.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in digital arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $22,625. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $22,817. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned it the #5 place for digital arts. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the digital arts program here. Digital Arts graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #6 spot for digital arts value this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $21,196. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $28,494. That is a strong return on a $21,196 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value digital arts schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $21,500. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $29,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value digital arts schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $24,271. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Tarleton State University landed the #9 spot for digital arts value this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $23,222. Digital Arts graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $50,532 early in their careers. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University landed the #10 spot for digital arts value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $26,991 in student loans. Digital Arts graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $24,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Advancing Technology ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value digital arts schools. University Of Advancing Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $18,800. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Digital Arts graduates of University Of Advancing Technology earn a median of $27,824 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
