Best Design and Applied Arts Degrees in the US by ROI
Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
22
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$172,070
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$55,309
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Illinois Institute of Technology
Grad rate: 73.8% |
IL | +$1,469,180 | $122,231 | $67,720 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
School of Visual Arts
Grad rate: 74.4% |
NY | +$593,528 | $79,178 | $75,016 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Maryland Institute College of Art
Grad rate: 73.7% |
MD | +$581,248 | $78,199 | $71,366 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Rhode Island School of Design
Grad rate: 89.8% |
RI | +$413,946 | $70,583 | $78,857 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Florida State University
Grad rate: 83.9% |
FL | +$371,194 | $62,928 | $23,683 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 | Cranbrook Academy of Art | MI | +$326,100 | $58,305 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Thomas Jefferson University
Grad rate: 67.9% |
PA | +$319,420 | $64,182 | $62,110 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Pratt Institute-Main
Grad rate: 74.4% |
NY | +$271,574 | $63,232 | $76,533 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
The New School
Grad rate: 70.2% |
NY | +$242,626 | $62,407 | $82,757 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Grad rate: 27.4% |
AZ | +$153,620 | $49,681 | N/A | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Grad rate: 67.4% |
AZ | +$97,526 | $49,681 | $28,047 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
University of Baltimore
Grad rate: 39.2% |
MD | +$67,406 | $48,118 | $27,477 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Drexel University
Grad rate: 77.6% |
PA | +$57,046 | $52,369 | $75,167 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
George Washington University
Grad rate: 85.0% |
DC | +$29,846 | $51,565 | $80,727 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Academy of Art University
Grad rate: 42.4% |
CA | +$20,210 | $47,730 | $47,195 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
The University of Texas at Dallas
Grad rate: 70.2% |
TX | -$8,740 | $44,384 | $28,210 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Iowa State University
Grad rate: 75.0% |
IA | -$23,418 | $43,160 | $23,309 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Savannah College of Art and Design
Grad rate: 71.5% |
GA | -$29,760 | $46,479 | $59,670 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Pacific Northwest College of Art
Grad rate: 43.1% |
OR | -$184,440 | $39,482 | $67,040 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Full Sail University
Grad rate: 45.0% |
FL | -$206,188 | $35,672 | $39,814 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
New York University
Grad rate: 87.8% |
NY | -$281,382 | $35,843 | $79,121 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Atlantic University
Grad rate: 35.4% |
PR | -$494,986 | $18,487 | $12,363 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Design and Applied Arts Degrees by State
Browse Design and Applied Arts programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.