2027 Best Value Illustration Schools in Massachusetts

[Illustration](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/illustration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value illustration schools.
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2027 Best Value Illustration Schools in Massachusetts
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
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth tops our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Illustration graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $29,660 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earned it the #2 place for illustration. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,400, compared with $43,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $22,500. Illustration graduates of Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earn a median of $24,706 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Boston University one of the best values for illustration. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $49,254. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Northeastern University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Illustration graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. 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. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Lesley University one of the best values for illustration. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $25,227. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Montserrat College Of Art earned the #6 position for value in illustration this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Montserrat College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,690. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $19,865. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.