2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Graphic Design Schools
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for graphic design in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,306. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #3 spot this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #5. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,776. Graphic Design graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College placed #6 among the best values for graphic design. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #7 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #8 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College came in at #9 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College landed the #10 spot for graphic design value this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $7,234. Graphic Design graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #11 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Monica College placed #12 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #13 for value in graphic design this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $12,688 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $52,683. Set against $12,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #14 position for value in graphic design this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Riverside City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Las Positas College landed the #16 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, with out-of-state students paying around $9,808. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
De Anza College earned the #17 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #18 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College landed the #19 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $12,733. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
Cypress College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Allan Hancock College landed the #21 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Diablo Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mission College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Mission College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students from in state pay about $1,438 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,500. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,223. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Long Beach City College earned the #25 position for value in graphic design this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Graphic Design Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for graphic design this year:
Narrow Graphic Design Schools by State
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 107 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong graphic design education at a price that pays off.
