2023 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking. This report analyzed 109 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for design students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
Featured Design 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.
Top 15% Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools
Our analysis found LDS Business College to be the best value school for design and applied arts students who want to pursue a associate degree in the United States. LDS Business College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Salt Lake City.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at LDS Business College are $3,656 a year.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Alexandria Technical & Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list. ATCC is a small public school located in the remote town of Alexandria.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ATCC are $5,910 per year. After completing their Associate Degree, design graduates from ATCC carry an average student debtload of $14,460.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, ATCC also did well on our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Madison Area Technical College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the large city of Madison, Madison College is a public college with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Madison College are $6,769 per year. While working on their Associate Degree, design majors at Madison College accumulate an average of around $19,387 in student debt.
Madison College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Madison Area Technical College Report
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The excellent associate degree programs at Metropolitan Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value design and applied arts schools in the United States. Located in the city of Omaha, MCC is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at MCC are $4,680 a year. On average, design graduates from MCC take out $13,937 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, MCC is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Collin County Community College District. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Collin County Community College District are $5,104 a year. On average, design graduates from Collin County Community College District take out $14,236 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Collin County Community College District also claimed a spot on our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
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Johnson County Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the city of Overland Park, JCCC is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at JCCC are $5,352 per year. After completing their Associate Degree, design graduates from JCCC carry an average student debtload of $14,972.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, JCCC also is in the top 5% of our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking.
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With a ranking of #7, Waukesha County Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for design and applied arts students working on their associate degree. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, WCTC is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,603 per year. The average amount in student loans that design majors at WCTC take out while working on their Associate Degree is $18,801.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, WCTC also is in the top 15% of our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking.
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With a ranking of #8, Century College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for design and applied arts students working on their associate degree. Century College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large suburb of White Bear Lake.
Century College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,907 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their Associate Degree, design majors at Century College accumulate an average of around $18,527 in student debt.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Century College also is in the top 10% of our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking.
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Bismarck State College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking. BSC is a small public school located in the city of Bismarck.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BSC are $6,930 per year. On average, design graduates from BSC take out $12,189 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, BSC is in the top 5% of all schools on our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list.
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Scottsdale Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Scottsdale Community College are $7,854 a year. On average, design graduates from Scottsdale Community College take out $14,221 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Scottsdale Community College Report
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Finger Lakes Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking. Located in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Finger Lakes Community College are $6,710 per year.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Finger Lakes Community College Report
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Spokane Falls Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools ranking. Spokane Falls Community College is a small public school located in the medium-sized city of Spokane.
Spokane Falls Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,135 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their Associate Degree, design graduates from Spokane Falls Community College carry an average student debtload of $15,308.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Spokane Falls Community College Report
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Western 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 #13 on the list. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College is a public school with a small student population.
Western Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,687 in tuition and fees each year. On average, design graduates from Western Technical College take out $18,046 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
In addition to its great value ranking, Western Technical College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Western Technical College Report
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With a ranking of #14, Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for design and applied arts students working on their associate degree. MATC is a large public school located in the city of Milwaukee.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MATC are $6,908 per year. While working on their Associate Degree, design majors at MATC accumulate an average of around $19,061 in student debt.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Milwaukee Area Technical College Report
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Macomb Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Macomb Community College are $7,680 a year. On average, design graduates from Macomb Community College take out $10,363 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Macomb Community College also did well on our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
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Gateway 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 #16 on the list. Gateway Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kenosha.
Gateway Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,803 in tuition and fees each year. Design majors at Gateway Technical College take out an average of $17,916 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Gateway Technical College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools list.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Gateway Technical College Report
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These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | El Centro College | Dallas, TX |
| 18 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College | Minneapolis, MN |
| 19 | Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville, GA |
| 20 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH |
| 21 | University of South Dakota | Vermillion, SD |
| 21 | Guilford Technical Community College | Jamestown, NC |
Design & Applied Arts by Region
View the Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings
Other Related Design 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.
Design & Applied Arts Related Majors for 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 25 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 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.
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