by our College Data Analytics Team
[Illustration](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/illustration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value illustration schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the illustration degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in illustration, no school beat Sussex County Community College this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $10,750. Early-career illustration graduates make about $27,179. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Mohawk Valley Community College one of the best values for illustration. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Illustration graduates carry a median of $9,534 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $21,012. Set against $9,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fashion Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $20,692. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Fredonia earned it the #4 place for illustration. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $19,451. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Marywood University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,362. Illustration graduates of Marywood University earn a median of $25,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marywood University admits about 61% of applicants.
St Johns University New York earned the #6 position for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $57,686. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Arcadia University came in at #7 for value in illustration this year. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $46,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #8 for value in illustration this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Illustration graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $34,709 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University placed #9 among the best values for illustration. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $38,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University earned the #10 position for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $46,181. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Maryland Institute College Of Art placed #11 among the best values for illustration. Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $56,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $48,637. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Maryland Institute College Of Art admits about 77% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design came in at #12 for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Illustration graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design earn a median of $25,830 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Moore College Of Art And Design ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Moore College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $52,674 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Early-career illustration graduates make about $20,587. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Pratt Institute Main came in at #14 for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,845. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $19,000. Illustration graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $40,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
School Of Visual Arts came in at #15 for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of New York, School Of Visual Arts is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,400. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $32,155. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The New School ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Illustration graduates carry a median of $23,606 in student loans. Illustration graduates of The New School earn a median of $36,279 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.