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Best Value Design and Applied Arts Colleges in Indiana

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Indiana's design graduates face a dramatic earnings divide, with top performers at Indiana University-Indianapolis earning $42,682 annually while those from Grace College average just $25,194. This $17,000 gap reflects the state's varied creative economy, where pharmaceutical giants like Eli Lilly need packaging designers and medical device companies require user experience specialists. Public universities dominate the value equation here, with Purdue and IU-Bloomington both delivering strong earning potential for under $16,000 in net costs. The state's 21st Century Scholars program can eliminate tuition entirely for qualifying students, making these programs even more affordable. Private institutions like University of Notre Dame offer strong outcomes with 96.80% graduation rates, but at $27,823 in net costs. Meanwhile, Oakland City University provides an unusual value proposition at just $12,820 net cost with a solid 70% graduation rate. Indiana's manufacturing heritage creates steady demand for industrial designers, while the healthcare sector's growth in Indianapolis drives need for medical device and pharmaceutical packaging specialists.
23
Programs
$11,408 – $43,465
Net Price Range
$33,776
Avg. Program Earnings
65.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

23 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,408 $42,682 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
2 $13,945 $38,289 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
3 $15,342 $36,488 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
4 $14,989 $27,397 $16,480 69.1% 71.8%
5 $18,748 $33,993 $36,136 55.8% 76.1%
6 $20,361 $32,391 $35,420 60.7% 98.1%
7 $18,406 $25,194 $30,034 69.9% 84.6%
8 $22,144 $35,640 49.4% 51.8%
9 $19,726 $33,320 57.2% 99.5%
10 $24,327 $39,104 76.6% 74.6%
11 $43,465 $33,490 52.3% 78.2%
12 $12,820 $27,150 70.0% 55.7%
13 $27,823 $62,693 96.8% 12.9%
14 $23,069 $31,168 66.3% 86.7%
15 $23,594 $39,100 60.9% 93.8%
16 $15,898 $10,758 63.3% 69.0%
17 $11,513 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
18 $13,710 $29,982 68.2% 77.5%
19 $21,826 $42,894 63.6% 74.1%
20 $15,725 $37,760 60.5% 93.5%
21 $22,762 $37,350 63.4% 92.9%
22 $20,230 $42,676 71.3% 76.3%
23 $38,472 $45,980 80.2% 82.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $17,000 earnings gap between Indiana design programs?

Indiana University-Indianapolis graduates earn $42,682 annually, while Grace College graduates average $25,194, reflecting different career paths and employer connections. IU-Indianapolis benefits from proximity to major healthcare and pharmaceutical companies that pay premium salaries for medical device design and pharmaceutical packaging roles. The university's location in Indiana's largest city provides access to corporate design positions that typically offer higher compensation than small-town creative roles.

How do Indiana's public universities compare on design program value?

Purdue leads with the strongest combination of affordability and outcomes, charging just $13,945 net cost while maintaining an 83.10% graduation rate. Indiana University-Bloomington follows at $15,342 net cost with 81.20% graduation rates and $36,488 in graduate earnings. Both schools significantly outperform most private alternatives in cost-effectiveness, with IU-Indianapolis offering the highest earnings potential at $42,682 annually for just $11,408 in net costs.

Is Notre Dame worth the premium cost for design students?

Notre Dame charges $27,823 in net costs but delivers a 96.80% graduation rate and accepts only 12.91% of applicants, indicating highly selective admissions. However, the earnings data is unavailable, making it difficult to assess true value compared to public alternatives. Students considering Notre Dame should weigh the well-known alumni network and campus resources against paying double the cost of equally strong public programs like Purdue or IU-Bloomington.

Where can design students find the most affordable programs in Indiana?

Indiana University-Indianapolis offers the lowest net cost at $11,408 while providing the highest graduate earnings at $42,682, creating strong value. Oakland City University presents another budget option at $12,820 net cost with a respectable 70% graduation rate. Purdue follows closely at $13,945, combining low costs with strong outcomes including an 83.10% graduation rate and manageable $19,500 average debt load.

How does Indiana's job market support design graduates?

Indiana's manufacturing sector, led by companies like Cummins, creates steady demand for industrial and product designers. The state's healthcare industry, anchored by Eli Lilly and Indiana University Health, needs specialists in medical device design and pharmaceutical packaging. Indianapolis serves as the primary center for creative opportunities, explaining why IU-Indianapolis graduates command the highest salaries at $42,682 annually compared to rural programs.

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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.