Best Value Design and Applied Arts Colleges in Washington

Design and applied arts programs in Washington show a massive earnings gap, with University of Washington-Seattle Campus graduates earning $57,318 annually while Northwest College of Art & Design graduates average just $23,579. Lake Washington Institute of Technology stands out as an strong value proposition, charging only $5,886 in net costs while delivering $49,729 in graduate earnings. Washington's tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft increasingly seek design professionals for user experience and visual design roles, creating strong demand for skilled graduates. The state's 15 programs range from $3,912 to $39,060 in net costs, with public institutions generally offering better financial returns than their private counterparts. Technical colleges like Clover Park deliver focused training at rock-bottom prices, while full universities provide broader creative education with higher earning potential.

Programs

$3,912 – $39,060

Net Price Range

$41,358

Avg. Program Earnings

54.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

15 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, Washington	$5,886	$49,729	$5,156	39.8%
2	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$57,318	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
3	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$44,356	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
4	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$46,087	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
5	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820	$43,798	$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
6	Walla Walla University College Place, Washington	$23,992	$33,993	$33,027	64.2%
7	Northwest College of Art & Design Tacoma, Washington	$20,185	$23,579	$18,100	36.4%	67.9%
8	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$39,369	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
9	Cornish College of the Arts Seattle, Washington	$39,060	$33,993	$39,913	52.0%	71.1%
10	Bellevue College Bellevue, Washington	$11,289		$4,305	33.5%
11	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715		$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
12	Clover Park Technical College Lakewood, Washington	$3,912		$6,634	40.7%
13	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091		$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
14	Highline College Des Moines, Washington	$10,878		$4,623	38.6%
15	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884		$50,920	68.4%	90.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Lake Washington Institute of Technology such a strong value for design students?

Lake Washington Institute charges just $5,886 in net costs while graduates earn $49,729 annually, creating one of the best return-on-investment ratios among Washington design programs. The school focuses on practical, industry-aligned training that connects directly with local tech employers. With a 39.80% graduation rate, students who complete the program see substantial earnings that justify the investment.

How do public versus private design programs compare in Washington?

Public institutions dominate the value rankings, with University of Washington-Seattle leading at $13,485 net cost and $57,318 earnings. Private programs like Cornish College cost $39,060 but graduates earn only $33,993, creating a poor value proposition. Western Washington University offers middle-ground value at $18,680 with $46,087 graduate earnings and an impressive 92.69% acceptance rate.

Is the University of Washington-Seattle worth the higher costs for design students?

UW-Seattle charges $13,485 in net costs but delivers the highest graduate earnings at $57,318 annually, making it worthwhile despite the premium price. The school maintains a competitive 47.52% acceptance rate and 83.70% graduation rate. Students graduate with manageable debt of $12,250, well below the earning potential the degree provides.

Where do Washington design graduates find the best job opportunities?

Seattle's tech corridor offers the strongest opportunities, with Amazon, Microsoft, and Boeing actively recruiting design professionals for user experience and interface roles. The region's high cost of living is offset by strong salaries, particularly for UW-Seattle and Lake Washington Institute graduates. Healthcare systems and aerospace companies also provide steady design employment throughout the state.

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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.