2027 Best Value Graphic Communications Schools in Illinois

[Graphic Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/graphic-communications/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic communications students.
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2027 Best Value Graphic Communications Schools in Illinois
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
For return on investment in graphic communications, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Graphic Communications graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Moraine Valley Community College one of the best values for graphic communications. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the graphic communications program here. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. 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. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $41,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $11,533 to complete the graphic communications program here. Graphic Communications graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. Set against $11,533 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harper College landed the #6 spot for graphic communications value this year. 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. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $10,963. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $10,388. Graphic Communications graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
Bradley University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $24,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #9 spot for graphic communications value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $26,309. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Depaul University earned the #10 position for value in graphic communications this year. 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 graphic communications graduates is $25,864. Graphic Communications graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $27,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
More Graphic Communications Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.