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Best Value Design and Applied Arts Colleges in Utah

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

Utah State University graduates earn $37,568 annually while paying just $12,869 in net costs, making it the earnings leader among nine Design and Applied Arts programs statewide. The $22,192 gap between the most and least expensive options reflects Utah's mix of affordable public universities and pricier private colleges. With Silicon Slopes driving demand for UX designers and digital artists, these programs prepare students for a tech sector that has created over 160,000 jobs across the Wasatch Front.
9
Programs
$8,463 – $30,255
Net Price Range
$33,574
Avg. Program Earnings
59.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

9 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,463 $32,498 $6,270 40.7%
2 $10,722 $35,060 $6,391 43.0%
3 $11,432 $33,993 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
4 $12,869 $37,568 $9,228 57.3% 93.7%
5 $14,487 $28,753 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
6 $28,945 $16,491 52.8%
7 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
8 $26,536 $41,416 69.4% 69.8%
9 $30,255 $16,491 63.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge cost difference between Utah's cheapest and most expensive design programs?

Utah Valley University charges $8,463 in net costs while Provo College reaches $30,255, creating a $21,792 spread. Public universities dominate the affordable end with four schools under $15,000, while private institutions like Westminster University ($26,536) and the two for-profit colleges push costs significantly higher.

How do graduation rates vary among Utah's design schools?

Brigham Young University leads with an 82.20% graduation rate despite offering the lowest median earnings at $28,753. Public universities range from Utah Valley's 40.70% to University of Utah's 63.90%, while private colleges generally achieve higher completion rates above 50%.

Where do design graduates find the best job prospects in Utah?

Salt Lake City's tech corridor offers the strongest opportunities, with companies like Adobe, Qualtrics, and Pluralsight hiring digital designers and user experience specialists. The outdoor recreation industry centered around Park City and Moab also creates demand for product designers and marketing specialists with visual arts backgrounds.

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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.