2026 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 2026 ranking of the best value illustration schools.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked Virginia Commonwealth University the best value for a degree in illustration in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Illustration graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $36,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #2 makes John Brown University one of the best values for illustration. Located in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,756. Illustration graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Illustration graduates of John Brown University earn a median of $24,893 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Belmont University earned it the #3 place 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. Belmont University admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Nossi College Of Art one of the best values for illustration. Set in the city of Nashville, Nossi College Of Art is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,350. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $46,500. Illustration graduates of Nossi College Of Art earn a median of $24,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $46,500 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Savannah College Of Art And Design earned it the #5 place for illustration. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $32,194. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.
Ringling College Of Art And Design landed the #6 spot for illustration value this year. Set in the city of Sarasota, Ringling College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,900. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Ringling College Of Art And Design earn a median of $28,137 early in their careers. 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), 2026 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 5 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.
