2027 Best Value Illustration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Illustration](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/illustration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong illustration education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for illustration students.
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2027 Best Value Illustration Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the illustration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Illustration Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuyahoga Community College District the best value for a degree in illustration in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Illustration graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $22,517. That is a strong return on a $11,795 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $19,075. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $19,911. Set against $19,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $34,045. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Lakeland Community College one of the best values for illustration. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Students borrow a median of $19,857 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $51,941. That is a strong return on a $19,857 median debt.
Taylor University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Taylor University generally make around $31,921. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design earned the #6 position for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,743 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $28,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design admits about 60% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #7 spot for illustration value this year. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Illustration graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,630 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland Institute Of Art placed #8 among the best values for illustration. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,700. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Cleveland Institute Of Art generally make around $23,358. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Cleveland Institute Of Art admits about 61% of applicants.
Columbus College Of Art And Design ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Columbus College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,825. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Columbus College Of Art And Design earn a median of $27,970 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Art Academy Of Cincinnati placed #10 among the best values for illustration. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Art Academy Of Cincinnati is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,007. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Art Academy Of Cincinnati generally make around $20,921. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
College For Creative Studies came in at #11 for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Detroit, College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,350. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $32,665. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 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.
