Cheapest Design and Applied Arts Colleges in Virginia

Virginia's public universities dominate affordable Design and Applied Arts education, with Radford University leading at just $16,640 net cost. The state's defense industry and federal government proximity create strong demand for visual communicators and UX designers, particularly around Northern Virginia's tech corridor. Virginia Tech graduates earn $48,198 annually, nearly double the median for the field. Private colleges show mixed value, with Regent University offering competitive pricing at $18,749 while Liberty University reaches $29,552. Public options consistently deliver better graduation rates and lower debt loads.

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	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Radford University Radford, Virginia	$16,640	$12,286	49.6%	93.3%
2	George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia	$18,287	$13,815	69.3%	90.0%
3	Regent University Virginia Beach, Virginia	$18,749	$20,686	54.1%	32.3%
4	Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia	$19,452	$16,458	65.4%	91.0%
5	Emory & Henry University Emory, Virginia	$20,591	$35,280	53.8%	96.9%
6	Longwood University Farmville, Virginia	$20,814	$15,200	61.6%	87.8%
7	Ferrum College Ferrum, Virginia	$22,085	$38,320	28.9%	84.3%
8	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, Virginia	$23,790	$15,478	86.3%	57.0%
9	Marymount University Arlington, Virginia	$25,153	$39,050	57.9%	81.4%
10	Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia	$29,552	$21,222	63.5%	99.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide earnings gap between Virginia Tech and other programs?

Virginia Tech Design and Applied Arts graduates earn $48,198 compared to VCU's $29,891, reflecting the program's engineering integration and strong alumni network in defense contracting. The Blacksburg campus connects students directly with tech companies seeking user experience designers for government projects.

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

Public universities average $19,746 in net costs while private colleges reach $23,226 on average. Virginia residents pay just $14,447 at public institutions compared to $30,912 at private schools, creating savings of over $16,000 annually.

Does the VTAG grant significantly impact private college affordability?

Virginia's Tuition Assistance Grant provides up to $4,500 annually for residents at private colleges, explaining why Regent University costs only $18,749 net despite $20,686 sticker price. This grant helps narrow the public-private cost gap considerably.

Where do Virginia Design graduates find the best job opportunities?

Northern Virginia's defense corridor offers the highest salaries, with companies like Northrop Grumman and Booz Allen hiring visual designers for classified projects. Richmond's growing startup scene and Norfolk's military presence also provide steady employment for new graduates.

More Design and Applied Arts Rankings

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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.