2026 Best Design And Applied Arts Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Design And Applied Arts associate’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1237 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Design And Applied Arts Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Madison Area Technical College to be the best Design And Applied Arts school in the United States. Based in Madison, WI, Madison Area Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $15,750. See the full Madison Area Technical College profile
You'll be in good company at School Of Advertising Art Inc, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Kettering, OH, School Of Advertising Art Inc is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,914. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. More on School Of Advertising Art Inc
You'll be in good company at Alexandria Technical And Community College, which ranked #3 this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a public school based in Alexandria, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $12,000. See the full Alexandria Technical And Community College profile
You'll be in good company at University Of South Dakota, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. More on University Of South Dakota
The strong Design And Applied Arts programs at Waukesha County Technical College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,554 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read the full report on Waukesha County Technical College
Scottsdale Community College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Scottsdale Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Get the full Scottsdale Community College report
The New School landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. About 70% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Students borrow a median of $23,606 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read the full report on The New School
Arapahoe Community College placed #8 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Arapahoe Community College is a public school based in Littleton, CO. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,434, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $15,000. See the full Arapahoe Community College profile
Bismarck State College landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Based in Bismarck, ND, Bismarck State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,247, while out-of-state students pay about $7,331. Graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. Get the full Bismarck State College report
Collin County Community College District ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Set in McKinney, TX, Collin County Community College District is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,900 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. See the full Collin County Community College District profile
Johnson County Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Located in Overland Park, KS, Johnson County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $13,625. Get the full Johnson County Community College report
Interior Designers Institute came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Interior Designers Institute is a private for-profit school based in Newport Beach, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $20,250. Graduates carry a median of $26,235 in student loans. More on Interior Designers Institute
Sessions College For Professional Design did well this year, earning the #13 position. This private for-profit school is set in Tempe, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,400. Students borrow a median of $25,199 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read more about Sessions College For Professional Design
Macomb Community College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Macomb Community College is a public school based in Warren, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Macomb Community College Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $10,500 in debt. Get the full Macomb Community College report
Finger Lakes Community College placed #15 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. This public school is set in Canandaigua, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,258, while out-of-state students pay about $8,442. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Get the full Finger Lakes Community College report
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #16 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Located in Omaha, NE, Metropolitan Community College Area is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $12,526. See the full Metropolitan Community College Area profile
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #17 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Milwaukee Area Technical College Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $18,296 in debt. More on Milwaukee Area Technical College
Century College did well this year, earning the #19 position. Set in White Bear Lake, MN, Century College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Century College Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $15,000 in debt. Read the full report on Century College
Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,000 in tuition and fees. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $21,833. Read more about Fidm Fashion Institute Of Design And Merchandising Los Angeles
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in La Crosse, WI, Western Technical College La Cross is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Western Technical College La Cross Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $12,057 in debt. Read more about Western Technical College La Cross
Nossi College Of Art landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Based in Nashville, TN, Nossi College Of Art is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Students from in state pay about $20,350 in tuition and fees. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $46,500. See the full Nossi College Of Art profile
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Indianapolis, IN. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $23,146. Read more about Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Montana State University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $18,880. Read the full report on Montana State University
Austin Community College District landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Located in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Austin Community College District Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $19,939 in debt. Get the full Austin Community College District report
Ivy Tech Community College did well this year, earning the #26 position. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Ivy Tech Community College Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $12,710 in debt. More on Ivy Tech Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Design And Applied Arts Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Sinclair Community College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Sinclair Community College is a public school based in Dayton, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $11,000. Read the full report on Sinclair Community College
Utah Valley University landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Located in Orem, UT, Utah Valley University is a public institution. Utah Valley University graduates 40% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $14,057. Read the full report on Utah Valley University
Gateway Technical College came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Based in Kenosha, WI, Gateway Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $15,500. See the full Gateway Technical College profile
Rochester Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #30 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rochester, NY. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Rochester Institute Of Technology Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read the full report on Rochester Institute Of Technology
Salt Lake Community College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, Salt Lake Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $10,766. More on Salt Lake Community College
Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee did well this year, earning the #32 position. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a public school based in Okmulgee, OK. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,774, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $13,356 in debt. Read more about Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee
Berkeley College Woodland Park placed #34 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Berkeley College Woodland Park is a private for-profit school based in Woodland Park, NJ. Berkeley College Woodland Park graduates 40% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,320. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $23,949. Read the full report on Berkeley College Woodland Park
Lehigh Carbon Community College placed #35 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Based in Schnecksville, PA, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $14,450. Read the full report on Lehigh Carbon Community College
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Long Island City, NY, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Get the full Cuny Laguardia Community College report
Fashion Institute Of Technology ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. Set in New York, NY, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Get the full Fashion Institute Of Technology report
Columbia College Hollywood ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Columbia College Hollywood graduates 37% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,186. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $21,834. Read the full report on Columbia College Hollywood
Weber State University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Weber State University is a public school based in Ogden, UT. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $21,851. Read the full report on Weber State University
Des Moines Area Community College placed #40 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Set in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines Area Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Des Moines Area Community College Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $13,625 in debt. Read more about Des Moines Area Community College
New England Institute Of Technology landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Located in East Greenwich, RI, New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,275. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $20,584. Get the full New England Institute Of Technology report
Guilford Technical Community College placed #42 among Design And Applied Arts schools in the United States. Based in Jamestown, NC, Guilford Technical Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,696. Guilford Technical Community College Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $15,250 in debt. More on Guilford Technical Community College
University Of Advancing Technology landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tempe, AZ, University Of Advancing Technology is a private for-profit institution. About 27% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,800 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $27,895 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Advancing Technology
Latter Day Saints Business College did well this year, earning the #44 position. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, Latter Day Saints Business College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,004. See the full Latter Day Saints Business College profile
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Based in Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. The median Design And Applied Arts program debt is $17,500. More on Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg
Pratt Institute Main came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Located in Brooklyn, NY, Pratt Institute Main is a private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,845. Graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Read the full report on Pratt Institute Main
County College Of Morris did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Randolph, NJ, County College Of Morris is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Read the full report on County College Of Morris
Northampton County Area Community College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Northampton County Area Community College is a public school based in Bethlehem, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. Get the full Northampton County Area Community College report
Northwest College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Design And Applied Arts schools. This public school is set in Powell, WY. In-state tuition and fees average $4,962, compared with $11,262 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,996 in student loans. See the full Northwest College profile
El Centro College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Dallas, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical Design And Applied Arts student debt is $11,835. Get the full El Centro College report
College Of Southern Nevada did well this year, earning the #51 position. This public school is set in Las Vegas, NV. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. College Of Southern Nevada Design And Applied Arts students take on a median of $9,500 in debt. More on College Of Southern Nevada
Seminole State College Of Florida came in at #52 in this year's ranking. Seminole State College Of Florida is a public school based in Sanford, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, with out-of-state students paying around $11,447. Students borrow a median of $19,613 to complete their Design And Applied Arts program here. More on Seminole State College Of Florida
Related Design And Applied Arts Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Design And Applied Arts Schools (All Levels)
- Best Design And Applied Arts Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Design And Applied Arts Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1237 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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