2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Minnesota
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong graphic design education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for graphic design students.
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2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Minnesota
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
Our analysis ranked North Hennepin Community College the best value for a degree in graphic design in Minnesota. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $52,492 early in their careers. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Century College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Century College generally make around $41,814. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dakota County Technical College earned it the #3 place for graphic design. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $13,474. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Dakota County Technical College generally make around $50,429. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minnesota State Community And Technical College earned it the #4 place for graphic design. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Students borrow a median of $18,197 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $42,972. That is a strong return on a $18,197 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Rochester Community And Technical College one of the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,439 early in their careers. Set against $20,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $42,462. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #8 for value in graphic design this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $38,587. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,199. Students borrow a median of $32,080 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $32,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design landed the #10 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,484. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Minneapolis College Of Art And Design generally make around $23,687. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
