2026 Best Value General Graphic Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[General Graphic Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/graphic-communications/general-graphic-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general graphic communications schools.
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2026 Best Value General Graphic Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general graphic communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Graphic Communications Schools
Northcentral Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among general graphic communications schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. General Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. General Graphic Communications graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ferris State University earned it the #2 place for general graphic communications. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for general graphic communications graduates is $19,339. Soon after graduation, general graphic communications degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $30,059. That is a strong return on a $19,339 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Illinois State University one of the best values for general graphic communications. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for general graphic communications graduates is $21,896. Soon after graduation, general graphic communications degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Depaul University earned it the #4 place for general graphic communications. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for general graphic communications graduates is $25,864. General Graphic Communications graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. Set against $25,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
