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Best Value Design and Applied Arts Colleges in Virginia

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

Virginia Tech graduates in Design and Applied Arts command salaries of $48,198, nearly double the $29,891 earned by VCU alumni despite similar debt loads around $24,000. This earnings gap reflects Virginia's defense contractor ecosystem, where companies like Northrop Grumman actively recruit designers for military simulation and interface projects. Public universities dominate the value equation, with net costs ranging from Radford's $16,640 to Virginia Tech's $23,790. The state's proximity to federal agencies creates steady demand for visual communication specialists and UX designers.
10
Programs
$16,640 – $29,552
Net Price Range
$36,241
Avg. Program Earnings
59.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

10 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $23,790 $48,198 $15,478 86.3% 57.0%
2 $16,640 $33,281 $12,286 49.6% 93.3%
3 $19,452 $29,891 $16,458 65.4% 91.0%
4 $25,153 $38,289 $39,050 57.9% 81.4%
5 $29,552 $31,547 $21,222 63.5% 99.3%
6 $18,749 $20,686 54.1% 32.3%
7 $20,591 $35,280 53.8% 96.9%
8 $22,085 $38,320 28.9% 84.3%
9 $18,287 $13,815 69.3% 90.0%
10 $20,814 $15,200 61.6% 87.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive salary difference between Virginia Tech and VCU design graduates?

Virginia Tech design graduates earn $48,198 compared to VCU's $29,891, an 61% difference. Tech's engineering culture and strong industry connections to defense contractors create higher-paying opportunities in technical design fields.

How much can students save by choosing public over private design programs?

Public universities offer net costs from $16,640 to $23,790, while private schools like Marymount charge $25,153. Virginia residents save even more, paying just $12,286 at Radford versus $39,050 at Marymount.

Is Radford University's 49.60% graduation rate a red flag for design students?

Radford's graduation rate lags behind other programs, but its $16,640 net cost makes it the most affordable option. Students earn $33,281 after graduation, providing solid return on investment despite completion challenges.

Does the VTAG grant make private design schools competitive with public options?

VTAG grants help Virginia residents at private colleges, but public schools still offer better value. Even with aid, private programs cost $18,749 to $29,552 net compared to public options under $24,000.

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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.