2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Southwest Region
[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 41 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Graphic Design Schools
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among graphic design schools in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,835 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $6,868. Graphic Design graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
San Antonio College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Amarillo College earned it the #5 place for graphic design. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $41,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #6 for value in graphic design this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College earned the #7 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,635. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yavapai College earned the #8 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,087. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Lamar University earned the #9 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,988. Graphic Design graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College landed the #10 spot for graphic design value this year. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #11 for value in graphic design this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Eastern Arizona College earned the #12 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. Students borrow a median of $6,781 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College generally make around $40,304. Set against $6,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gordon Cooper Technology Center earned the #13 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the town of Shawnee, Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public institution. Graphic Design graduates of Gordon Cooper Technology Center earn a median of $44,822 early in their careers.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $23,796. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Metro Technology Centers landed the #15 spot for graphic design value this year. Metro Technology Centers is a small public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,833 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Metro Technology Centers earn a median of $48,236 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College came in at #16 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Tulsa Technology Center placed #17 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $11,384 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $32,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Phoenix College placed #18 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
University Of Houston placed #19 among the best values for graphic design. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $47,461. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas State Technical College came in at #20 for value in graphic design this year. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,679 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $40,747. Set against $15,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,874. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $29,824. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $53,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
Arizona State University earned the #22 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $21,500. Graphic Design graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,589 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Lamar Institute Of Technology placed #23 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,844, while out-of-state students pay about $12,924. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Lamar Institute Of Technology earn a median of $50,068 early in their careers. Set against $14,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester came in at #24 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of McAlester, Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester is a mid-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $7,992 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $23,377. Set against $7,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in graphic design this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $22,337 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Graphic Design Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s graphic design value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
