2027 Best Value Graphic Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Graphic Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/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 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value graphic communications schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Graphic Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the graphic communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Graphic Communications Schools
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for graphic communications in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $11,149. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the graphic communications program here. Graphic Communications graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #4 place for graphic communications. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $41,313. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $15,525. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Kalamazoo Valley Community College generally make around $44,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College placed #7 among the best values for graphic communications. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College came in at #8 for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the graphic communications program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $19,339 to complete the graphic communications program here. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $30,059. That is a strong return on a $19,339 median debt. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earned the #10 position for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,533 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $33,960. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #11 among the best values for graphic communications. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $14,997. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. That is a strong return on a $14,997 median debt.
Harper College placed #13 among the best values for graphic communications. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #14 spot for graphic communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $10,388. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $44,345. Set against $10,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ball State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $46,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Shawnee State University placed #17 among the best values for graphic communications. Located in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Students borrow a median of $25,233 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $42,878. That is a strong return on a $25,233 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Stout earned the #18 position for value in graphic communications this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $25,937. Graphic Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $48,744 early in their careers. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stout admits about 88% of applicants.
Huntington University placed #19 among the best values for graphic communications. Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $31,870. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Huntington University generally make around $16,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Huntington University admits about 76% of applicants.
Bradley University came in at #20 for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic communications program here. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $24,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $26,981. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $38,489. Set against $26,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #22 for value in graphic communications this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the graphic communications program here. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $26,309. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cleveland Institute Of Art landed the #23 spot for graphic communications value this year. Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,700. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graphic Communications graduates of Cleveland Institute Of Art earn a median of $19,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus College Of Art And Design came in at #24 for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,825. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Columbus College Of Art And Design generally make around $20,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University placed #25 among the best values for graphic communications. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $25,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $27,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Graphic Communications Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s graphic communications value ranking:
Narrow Graphic Communications Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
