2027 Best Value Illustration Schools in the New England Region
[Illustration](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/illustration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value illustration schools.
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2027 Best Value Illustration Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in illustration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Illustration Schools
Our analysis ranked Capital Community College the best value for a degree in illustration in the New England Region. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $29,660. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boston University earned it the #3 place for illustration. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Illustration graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $49,254. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,400, with out-of-state students paying around $43,400. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $24,706. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Hartford one of the best values for illustration. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,075. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from University Of Hartford generally make around $29,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hartford admits about 96% of applicants.
New England College placed #6 among the best values for illustration. Located in the rural area of Henniker, New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,474. Illustration graduates carry a median of $35,038 in student loans. Illustration graduates of New England College earn a median of $68,950 early in their careers. Set against $35,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Northeastern University landed the #7 spot for illustration value this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $28,250. Illustration graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Lesley University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $26,500. Illustration graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $25,227 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Montserrat College Of Art landed the #9 spot for illustration value this year. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Montserrat College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,690 in tuition and fees. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Montserrat College Of Art generally make around $19,865. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Haven ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Early-career illustration graduates make about $49,615. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Maine College Of Art earned the #11 position for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of Portland, Maine College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,942. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Early-career illustration graduates make about $29,001. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island School Of Design earned the #12 position for value in illustration this year. Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Early-career illustration graduates make about $29,489. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
