2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
23
Ranked Colleges
824
Degrees Awarded
$14,400
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Visual Communications is the 154th most popular major in the country with 5,765 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 824 visual communications graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in visual communications. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality visual communications programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the visual communications program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Visual Communications (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 6 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $245 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Northwestern Visual Communications Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Purdue has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $5,995 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Purdue Visual Communications Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Notre Dame. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 43 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Notre Dame also took the #1 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,872 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Notre Dame.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full University of Notre Dame Visual Communications Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s graphic arts degrees to qualified students.
IU Bloomington also made our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $5,752 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Visual Communications at IU Bloomington
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Madison Area Technical College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Madison Area Technical College is a fairly large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 11 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Madison College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Madison College is $7,567 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Visual Communications at Madison College
Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State also made our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $7,068 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Visual Communications Report
With a ranking of #7, Ferris State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ferris is a fairly large public school situated in Big Rapids, Michigan. It awarded 4 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ferris, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $6,577 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ferris.
Full Ferris State University Visual Communications Report
With a ranking of #8, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 76 ’s graphic arts degrees to qualified students.
UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,061 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
Read full report on Visual Communications at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
With a ranking of #9, Ivy Tech Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s graphic arts degrees to 177 students in 2020-2021.
Ivy Tech Community College also made our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $6,213 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ivy Tech Community College.
Read more about Visual Communications at Ivy Tech Community College
Western Technical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this small public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified ’s graphic arts students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Western Technical College has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Technical College is $7,743 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Visual Communications at Western Technical College
University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s graphic arts degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of St. Francis Fort Wayne has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne is $13,374 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Visual Communications at University of St. Francis Fort Wayne
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and it awarded 19 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Green Bay also made our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Green Bay is $8,258 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Visual Communications at UW - Green Bay
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bowling Green, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s graphic arts degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.
BGSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $14,079 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Visual Communications at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
University of Michigan - Flint came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Flint, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s graphic arts degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.
UM Flint did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Flint is $7,797 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full UM Flint Visual Communications Report
With a ranking of #15, University of Evansville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UE is a small school located in Evansville, Indiana that handed out 3 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
UE also took the #15 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UE is $17,071 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Visual Communications at UE
Spring Arbor University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Spring Arbor, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s graphic arts students in 2020-2021.
Spring Arbor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Spring Arbor University is $16,544 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Visual Communications at Spring Arbor University
Anderson University Indiana did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Anderson University Indiana is a small school located in Anderson, Indiana that handed out 3 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Anderson University Indiana did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $18,792 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Anderson University Indiana.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Visual Communications at Anderson University Indiana
University of Dayton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified ’s graphic arts students in 2020-2021.
UDayton also made our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for UDayton is $19,334 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UDayton Visual Communications Report
Art Academy of Cincinnati did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. AAC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 5 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
AAC also made our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $22,465 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend AAC.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Full AAC Visual Communications Report
DePaul University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s graphic arts degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
DePaul also took the #12 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DePaul University is $27,123 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Visual Communications at DePaul University
With a ranking of #21, Lawrence Technological University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Southfield, Michigan, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 6 degrees to qualified ’s graphic arts students in 2020-2021.
Lawrence Tech also made our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Lawrence Technological University is $32,402 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Visual Communications at Lawrence Technological University
College for Creative Studies did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. College for Creative Studies is a small school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 4 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
CCS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend CCS is $31,631 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read full report on Visual Communications at College for Creative Studies
Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Loyola University Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 14 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $29,263 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Loyola University Chicago.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Visual Communications at Loyola Chicago
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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