2023 Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree School for You
Out of all the majors we analyze each year, design and applied arts was ranked #36 in the country. In fact 36,301 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
The Best Value Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 7 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for design students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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.
Best Rocky Mountains Region Schools for Affordable Quality for an Associate in Design & Applied Arts
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 Rocky Mountains Region . Located in the midsize city of Salt Lake City, LDS Business College is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LDS Business College are $3,656 per year.
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at LDS Business College
Request Information
The excellent associate degree programs at Arapahoe Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value design and applied arts schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Located in the large suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a public school with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Arapahoe Community College are $15,502 per year. The average amount in student loans that design majors at Arapahoe Community College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $23,598.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Arapahoe Community College is ranked #5 for overall quality for design in the Rocky Mountains Region .
Read full report on Design & Applied Arts at Arapahoe Community College
Request Information
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Salt Lake Community College is a great value for design and applied arts students working on their associate degree. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Salt Lake Community College are $12,734 per year. The average amount in student loans that design majors at Salt Lake Community College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $13,028.
Salt Lake Community College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Salt Lake Community College Report
Request Information
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Northwest College is a great value for design and applied arts students working on their associate degree. Northwest Community College is a small public school located in the remote town of Powell.
Northwest Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,162 in tuition and fees each year. Design majors at Northwest Community College take out an average of $13,311 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.
Request Information
Out of the 7 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Utah Valley University landed the # 5 spot on the list. UVU is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Orem.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UVU are $17,092 per year.
UVU also took the #1 spot in our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region rankings.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Utah Valley University Report
Request Information
With a ranking of #6, Weber State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for design and applied arts students working on their associate degree. WSU is a fairly large public school located in the city of Ogden.
WSU undergraduate students pay an average of $16,644 in tuition and fees each year.
WSU also made our Best Design & Applied Arts Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list, coming in at #2.
Full Design & Applied Arts at Weber State University Report
Request Information
Montana State University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree design and applied arts programs. MSU Bozeman is a fairly large public school located in the remote town of Bozeman.
MSU Bozeman undergraduate students pay an average of $28,264 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their Associate Degree, design graduates from MSU Bozeman carry an average student debtload of $16,805.
Request InformationBest Design & Applied Arts Colleges by State
Explore the best design and applied arts colleges for a specific state in the Rocky Mountains region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Colorado | 316 |
| Utah | 569 |
| Idaho | 125 |
| Montana | 25 |
| Wyoming | 22 |
More Design & Applied Arts Rankings in the Rocky Mountains Region
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.
Majors Related to Design
Design & Applied Arts is one of 10 different types of programs to choose from.
Majors Similar 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 7 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.
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.