2023 Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
Finding the Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree School for You
Design & Applied Arts is the #36 most popular major in the country with 36,301 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.
Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 14 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
Featured Design & Applied Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
2023 Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
Check out the design associate degree programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.
Top 10 Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools
Our 2023 rankings named Interior Designers Institute the best school in the Far Western US Region for design and applied arts students working on their associate degree. Interior Designers Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the small city of Newport Beach.
Design majors at Interior Designers Institute take out an average of $22,905 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Request Information
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles is a great place for design and applied arts students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Los Angeles, FIDM Los Angeles is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
After completing their Associate Degree, design graduates from FIDM Los Angeles carry an average student debtload of $16,621. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $491.
Full Design & Applied Arts at FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising - Los Angeles Report
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Platt College - San Diego. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Platt College - San Diego is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of San Diego.
Design majors at Platt College - San Diego take out an average of $18,038 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $112.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Platt College - San Diego
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Columbia College Hollywood. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the city of Tarzana, Columbia College Hollywood is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Columbia College Hollywood Report
Request Information
College of Southern Nevada ranked #6 on this year’s Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the city of Las Vegas, CSN is a public college with a fairly large student population.
While working on their Associate Degree, design majors at CSN accumulate an average of around $13,029 in student debt.
Full Design & Applied Arts at College of Southern Nevada Report
Request Information
With a ranking of #7, Spokane Falls Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for design and applied arts students working on their associate degree. Spokane Falls Community College is a small public school located in the midsize city of Spokane.
While working on their Associate Degree, design majors at Spokane Falls Community College accumulate an average of around $15,308 in student debt.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Spokane Falls Community College
Request Information
Academy of Art University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for design and applied arts students to get a associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the large city of San Francisco, Academy of Art University is a private for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.
While working on their Associate Degree, design majors at Academy of Art University accumulate an average of around $32,177 in student debt.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Academy of Art University
Request Information
Los Angeles Trade Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for design and applied arts students to get a associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Request Information
Bellevue College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree design and applied arts programs. BC is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Bellevue College
Request InformationBest Design & Applied Arts Colleges by State
Explore the best design and applied arts colleges for a specific state in the Far Western US region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| California | 3,773 |
| Washington | 532 |
| Oregon | 490 |
| Nevada | 110 |
| Hawaii | 19 |
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings in the Far Western US Region
Related Programs
Learn about other programs related to Design & Applied Arts that might interest you.
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Get on the right path to the fast-paced, exciting world of video game art and design with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Rankings in Majors Related to Design
One of 10 majors within the area of study, design and applied arts has other similar majors worth exploring.
Most Popular Majors Related to Design
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 37,413 |
| Music | 25,910 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 17,341 |
| Film, Video & Photographic Arts | 16,778 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 6,355 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 14 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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 the rest 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.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.