2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Michigan
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
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2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Michigan
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the graphic design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Graphic Design Schools
For return on investment in graphic design, no school beat Muskegon Community College this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,928. Graphic Design graduates of Muskegon Community College earn a median of $48,267 early in their careers. Set against $14,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Michigan College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Southwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dowagiac. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,417, compared with $8,394 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Ferris State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,954 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $30,687 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saginaw Valley State University earned it the #5 place for graphic design. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,125. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $27,577. Set against $26,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Western Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $39,077. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Central Michigan University landed the #7 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $36,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $28,175. Graphic Design graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $36,784 early in their careers. Set against $28,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Cornerstone University came in at #9 for value in graphic design this year. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Students borrow a median of $29,243 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $44,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Adrian College earned the #10 position for value in graphic design this year. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,684. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $28,071 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $43,444. Set against $28,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
College For Creative Studies ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,350. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from College For Creative Studies generally make around $26,638. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
More Graphic Design Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
