Cheapest Design and Applied Arts Colleges in Oregon

Portland State University offers the lowest net price for Design and Applied Arts at $12,932, while graduates earn a median $44,021 annually. The $27,914 gap between the cheapest and most expensive program reflects Oregon's mix of accessible public universities and specialized art schools. With companies like Nike headquartered in Oregon, design graduates find opportunities in athletic wear, tech, and the state's growing creative economy across Portland's design districts.

Programs

$12,932 – $40,846

Net Price Range

$35,993

Avg. Program Earnings

58.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Design and Applied Arts Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Portland State University Portland, Oregon	$12,932	$11,238	53.1%	93.1%
2	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, Oregon	$17,722	$12,594	51.2%	79.0%
3	Western Oregon University Monmouth, Oregon	$18,290	$11,025	44.8%	83.4%
4	Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon	$19,568	$13,494	70.6%	82.5%
5	University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon	$21,782	$15,669	71.5%	86.3%
6	Linfield University McMinnville, Oregon	$27,341	$49,530	65.2%	88.7%
7	George Fox University Newberg, Oregon	$29,981	$40,940	68.7%	91.7%
8	Pacific Northwest College of Art Portland, Oregon	$40,846	$47,126	45.7%	94.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the large earning difference between Oregon design programs?

Portland State graduates earn $44,021 compared to Western Oregon's $26,715, a gap of $17,306. Program focus and location affect outcomes, with Portland's proximity to major employers like Nike and Intel providing more internship and job opportunities.

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

Public universities average $17,859 in net costs versus $32,723 for private schools, saving students nearly $15,000 annually. Oregon State and Portland State both offer strong design programs at under $20,000 net price.

Does Oregon provide financial aid specifically for art students?

The Oregon Opportunity Grant assists low-income students at participating schools, including design programs. Public universities typically offer the best value, with in-state tuition as low as $11,025 at Western Oregon University.

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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.