by our College Data Analytics Team
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) 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 87 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value graphic design schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for graphic design in California. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Irvine Valley College one of the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes West Valley College one of the best values for graphic design. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #5 spot this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #6 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
San Diego City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. 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.
Mt San Antonio College placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #10 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. 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. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College earned the #12 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Santiago Canyon College placed #13 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #14 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $12,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. That is a strong return on a $12,688 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Riverside City College placed #15 among the best values for graphic design. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,102. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College placed #16 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
De Anza College landed the #17 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the graphic design program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sierra College came in at #18 for value in graphic design this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
Cypress College came in at #19 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Allan Hancock College placed #21 among the best values for graphic design. Allan Hancock College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Maria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Median earnings reach $42,786 ten years out.
Mission College landed the #22 spot for graphic design value this year. 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. Set against $17,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College placed #23 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Diablo Valley College earned the #25 position for value in graphic design this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for graphic design this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
