2027 Best Value Illustration Schools in the Southeast Region
[Illustration](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/illustration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Illustration Schools in the Southeast 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
For return on investment in illustration, no school beat John Brown University this year. Located in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,756. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $20,500. Illustration graduates of John Brown University earn a median of $24,893 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values for illustration. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Illustration graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $36,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,937 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Belmont University one of the best values for illustration. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $28,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #4 makes Nossi College Of Art one of the best values for illustration. Nossi College Of Art is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $20,350. Students borrow a median of $46,500 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $24,497. Set against $46,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in illustration will find it at Savannah College Of Art And Design, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $32,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.
Ringling College Of Art And Design placed #6 among the best values for illustration. Set in the city of Sarasota, Ringling College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $28,137. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
