2027 Best Value Graphic Communications Schools in the Southwest Region
[Graphic Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/graphic-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic communications students.
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2027 Best Value Graphic Communications Schools in the Southwest 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
For return on investment in graphic communications, no school beat El Centro College this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $14,557. Graphic Communications graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic communications, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $15,148. Graphic Communications graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Vista College earned it the #3 place for graphic communications. Located in the city of San Antonio, Northwest Vista College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $9,189. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $29,349. That is a strong return on a $9,189 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Houston Community College one of the best values for graphic communications. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the graphic communications program here. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $16,155. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Lee College one of the best values for graphic communications. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $53,448. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pontotoc Technology Center came in at #6 for value in graphic communications this year. Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Ada. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $44,846.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,322, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $10,284. Graphic Communications graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $39,399 early in their careers. Set against $10,284 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Technology Center landed the #8 spot for graphic communications value this year. Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Tulsa. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Graphic Communications graduates of Tulsa Technology Center earn a median of $32,406 early in their careers. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the graphic communications program here. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $24,115. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Central Texas College landed the #10 spot for graphic communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center came in at #11 for value in graphic communications this year. Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Choctaw. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,311 ten years after entry.
Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee placed #12 among the best values for graphic communications. Set in the town of Muskogee, Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee is a mid-sized public institution. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $9,500. Graphic Communications graduates of Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee earn a median of $28,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester came in at #13 for value in graphic communications this year. Set in the town of McAlester, Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $7,992 to complete the graphic communications program here. Graphic Communications graduates of Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester earn a median of $23,377 early in their careers. Set against $7,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Great Plains Technology Center ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Lawton, Great Plains Technology Center is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $11,759 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Great Plains Technology Center generally make around $48,921. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University placed #15 among the best values for graphic communications. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $18,964 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $29,305. Set against $18,964 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northeast Technology Center System Office ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Set in the town of Pryor, Northeast Technology Center System Office is a small public institution. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $35,262.
Francis Tuttle Technology Center placed #17 among the best values for graphic communications. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $14,859 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Francis Tuttle Technology Center generally make around $26,570. That is a strong return on a $14,859 median debt.
Canadian Valley Technology Center earned the #18 position for value in graphic communications this year. Canadian Valley Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of El Reno. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $46,777.
Sam Houston State University came in at #19 for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $28,342. Graphic Communications graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,342 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Saint Edwards University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,384. Students borrow a median of $25,059 to complete the graphic communications program here. Graphic Communications graduates of Saint Edwards University earn a median of $44,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,059 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Southern Methodist University landed the #21 spot for graphic communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,040. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $20,712. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
