2027 Best Value Graphic Communications Schools in the The Plains States 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for graphic communications students.
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2027 Best Value Graphic Communications Schools in the The Plains States 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
Western Iowa Tech Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,886 in student loans. Graphic Communications graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $35,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,880. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $11,362. Graphic Communications graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $39,749 early in their careers. Set against $11,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic communications, landing the #3 spot this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $7,040 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $19,500. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $26,436. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in graphic communications will find it at Johnson County Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $13,532. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $46,473. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in graphic communications will find it at Pittsburg State University, which ranked #5. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, with out-of-state students paying around $19,744. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $25,500. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $30,270. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Butler Community College landed the #6 spot for graphic communications value this year. Located in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the graphic communications program here. Graphic Communications graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Technical Institute earned the #7 position for value in graphic communications this year. Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Students from in state pay about $7,650 in tuition and fees. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $18,442 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $48,654. That is a strong return on a $18,442 median debt.
Kansas City Kansas Community College came in at #8 for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,996, while out-of-state students pay about $6,482. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $13,129. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $43,216. Set against $13,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #9 position for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $36,557. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Webster University landed the #10 spot for graphic communications value this year. Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $25,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Webster University generally make around $17,593. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
Kansas City Art Institute placed #11 among the best values for graphic communications. Set in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Art Institute is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,550. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $17,852. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design earned the #12 position for value in graphic communications this year. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $45,484. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Minneapolis College Of Art And Design generally make around $24,427. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.