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Design and Applied Arts Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

Design and Applied Arts education shows dramatic cost variation across public institutions, with net prices spanning from $3,119 at Seminole State College of Florida to $6,133 at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus. The earnings potential reflects this diversity too, ranging from $23,068 for CUNY Queens College graduates to $49,729 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Washington state. Public colleges dominate the affordable market, though graduation rates vary significantly from 13.70% to 60.20%. The creative economy continues expanding nationwide, with design roles growing in tech hubs, manufacturing centers, and media markets from New York to California. Several CUNY campuses appear among the most affordable options, capitalizing on New York's status as a global design capital. Technical colleges like Clover Park and Lake Washington Institute demonstrate how career-focused programs can deliver strong earning outcomes. Regional Ohio University campuses offer consistent pricing at $6,178 in-state tuition but show concerning graduation rates below 21%.
50
Programs
$3,119 – $10,218
Net Price Range
$31,883
Avg. Program Earnings
42.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,119 $3,227 42.0%
2 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
3 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
4 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
5 $3,912 $6,634 40.7%
6 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
7 $4,783 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
8 $4,989 $7,050 23.6% 39.6%
9 $5,231 $4,902 44.9% 100.0%
10 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
11 $5,732 $8,054 56.2%
12 $5,886 $5,156 39.8%
13 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
14 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
15 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
16 $6,305 $8,280 35.7%
17 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
18 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
19 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
20 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
21 $6,935 $2,336 31.4%
22 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
23 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
24 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
25 $7,382 $5,542 38.4% 67.8%
26 $7,523 $3,855 51.5%
27 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
28 $7,607 $5,542 38.7% 45.7%
29 $7,668 $6,920 30.2%
30 $7,669 $21,290 61.3% 21.1%
31 $8,388 $7,220 18.2%
32 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
33 $8,624 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
34 $8,783 $5,580 33.0% 33.8%
35 $8,787 $5,580 32.9% 44.7%
36 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
37 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
38 $8,964 $5,580 31.6% 46.8%
39 $9,034 $5,580 42.7% 40.1%
40 $9,055 $8,454 48.3% 98.5%
41 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
42 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
43 $9,837 $10,904 16.2%
44 $9,983 $9,700 42.3% 91.4%
45 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
46 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
47 $10,044 $7,855 39.8% 72.8%
48 $10,097 $6,906 37.0%
49 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
50 $10,218 $1,410 5.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $26,610 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying programs?

Lake Washington Institute of Technology graduates earn $49,729 compared to $23,068 at CUNY Queens College, reflecting regional job markets and program focus. Technical institutes often emphasize industry-specific skills that command higher starting salaries. Geographic location plays a major role, as Seattle's tech industry typically offers higher compensation than other regions. Program specialization within design and applied arts also influences earning potential significantly.

How do CUNY colleges maintain such low net prices for design programs?

Three CUNY institutions rank among the top five most affordable options, with net prices between $3,482 and $4,783. New York's substantial state funding for public higher education helps keep costs down for residents. The CUNY system serves over 240,000 students across multiple campuses, creating economies of scale. These schools also provide access to New York's design industry without the premium costs of private institutions.

Is the 13.70% graduation rate at Ohio University-Lancaster typical for regional campuses?

Ohio University's regional campuses show concerning graduation rates, with Lancaster at 13.70%, Zanesville at 17.70%, and Southern at 19.30%. These open-access institutions serve many part-time and non-traditional students who may take longer to complete degrees. The $27,000 average debt load across these campuses suggests students often struggle financially. Regional economic factors and limited local design job opportunities may also impact completion rates.

Does attending a technical college provide better value than traditional universities for design careers?

Lake Washington Institute of Technology demonstrates strong outcomes with $49,729 average earnings despite a 39.80% graduation rate. Technical colleges often focus on specific career skills rather than broad liberal arts requirements. The $5,886 net price at Lake Washington delivers higher earning potential than several traditional universities. However, traditional programs may offer more full education and transferability for students considering advanced degrees.

Where can students find the best combination of low costs and strong outcomes?

California State University-San Bernardino offers solid value with $5,918 net price, 54.70% graduation rate, and $33,993 average earnings. CUNY Queens College provides the strongest graduation rate at 60.20% while maintaining low costs at $3,830 net price. Seminole State College of Florida delivers the lowest net price at $3,119 with respectable 42% graduation rates. These institutions balance affordability with reasonable completion and earning outcomes.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.