2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Iowa
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Iowa
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
Leading the list is University Of Northern Iowa, our #1 best value for graphic design in Iowa. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,100 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $38,637. Set against $25,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Hawkeye Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,001. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $41,902. That is a strong return on a $17,001 median debt.
Iowa State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Graphic Design graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
