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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 62 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the graphic design degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in graphic design, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,995. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Lorain County Community College one of the best values for graphic design. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Lincoln Land Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,272. Graphic Design graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $43,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.
Muskegon Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,250, compared with $16,010 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $48,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $47,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mchenry County College earned the #8 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $7,440. Graphic Design graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,349. Graphic Design graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University placed #10 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $34,045 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #11 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,377. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Southwestern Michigan College landed the #12 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the rural area of Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,417, compared with $8,394 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Southwestern Michigan College generally make around $43,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College landed the #13 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $27,795. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeland Community College came in at #14 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $19,857. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $51,941. That is a strong return on a $19,857 median debt.
Oakland University landed the #15 spot for graphic design value this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,954 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $30,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #16 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,057 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $23,032. That is a strong return on a $12,057 median debt.
Harper College came in at #17 for value in graphic design this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Park Technical College landed the #18 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Students borrow a median of $11,471 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $21,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,471 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #19 for value in graphic design this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,554. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $39,095. That is a strong return on a $15,554 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #20 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,234. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $45,531. Set against $14,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #21 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,125. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $27,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rend Lake College came in at #22 for value in graphic design this year. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. Students from in state pay about $4,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $42,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,688 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #23 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $18,839. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $34,670. That is a strong return on a $18,839 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Owens Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $19,383 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #25 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $30,710 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 list is compiled 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.