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Best Value Design and Applied Arts Colleges in Iowa

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

University of Northern Iowa delivers strong value in Design and Applied Arts with a net price of just $14,609 and graduates earning $33,993 annually. The school accepts 95% of applicants while maintaining a solid 69% graduation rate. Iowa's insurance and manufacturing sectors provide natural career paths for design graduates, with companies like Principal Financial requiring extensive visual communications and user experience work. State funding keeps public university costs remarkably low, creating a $15,000 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options. Drake University represents the premium end at $30,042 net cost but delivers the highest earnings at $39,909. The 17 programs across Iowa range from small liberal arts colleges to major research universities, giving students options that match both budget and career goals.
17
Programs
$14,609 – $30,042
Net Price Range
$35,572
Avg. Program Earnings
59.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,609 $33,993 $9,728 68.9% 95.0%
2 $18,165 $38,721 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
3 $21,616 $37,568 $33,450 55.8% 98.4%
4 $30,042 $39,909 $49,944 77.3% 67.2%
5 $23,169 $27,669 $38,190 52.8% 70.6%
6 $25,635 $50,320 75.0% 75.3%
7 $22,604 $51,040 66.8% 97.5%
8 $23,172 $19,000 41.5% 54.2%
9 $22,231 $46,212 65.7% 89.1%
10 $22,750 $35,598 62.8% 73.9%
11 $23,519 $35,300 63.6% 87.3%
12 $23,435 $39,070 55.9% 75.3%
13 $21,590 $35,534 49.4%
14 $15,975 $33,220 38.3% 74.5%
15 $25,383 $35,960 65.3% 87.7%
16 $20,068 $39,600 54.9% 84.8%
17 $18,321 $40,190 47.3% 77.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Northern Iowa such strong value for design students?

UNI combines the lowest net cost in the state at $14,609 with solid career outcomes of $33,993 in average earnings. The 69% graduation rate exceeds many private competitors while maintaining a 95% acceptance rate. Iowa residents pay just $9,728 in tuition, making this program accessible to nearly any family budget.

How do earnings compare between public and private design programs in Iowa?

Iowa State University graduates earn $38,721 annually with a net cost of $18,165, outperforming most private schools on return on investment. Drake University leads all schools at $39,909 in earnings but costs $30,042 annually. Grand View University offers competitive private education at $21,616 with graduates earning $37,568, creating middle-ground value.

Is Drake University worth the premium cost for design students?

Drake's $30,042 net price delivers the highest graduate earnings at $39,909 and strongest graduation rate at 77%. The school accepts only 67% of applicants compared to 90%+ at public universities. Students gain access to Des Moines internships and networking opportunities that justify the investment for many career paths.

Where do Iowa design graduates typically find employment opportunities?

Principal Financial Group and other Des Moines insurance companies hire extensively for digital design and user experience roles. John Deere and manufacturing firms need industrial design and technical communication specialists. The state's growing tech sector in Cedar Rapids and Ames creates additional opportunities for web and graphic design graduates.

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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.