2027 Best Value Visual Communications Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual communications education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 128 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual communications students.
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2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,839 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $43,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #2 place for visual communications. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,057 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $31,888 early in their careers. Set against $14,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Cuny New York City College Of Technology, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $21,445. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned it the #4 place for visual communications. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Ferris State University placed #6 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $34,045. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,750. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $34,377. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Farmingdale State College came in at #8 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $27,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University placed #9 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $34,845. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #10 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $20,000. Visual Communications graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #11 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $21,160. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $49,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego landed the #12 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,787 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $16,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #13 for value in visual communications this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $63,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #14 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Flint landed the #15 spot for visual communications value this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $30,695. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $18,339 early in their careers. Set against $30,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $20,250. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $44,602. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University earned the #17 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,713 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $35,673. Set against $26,713 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of California Davis ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $15,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $32,816. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #19 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
California State University Monterey Bay landed the #20 spot for visual communications value this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $14,827. Visual Communications graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $30,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,827 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay placed #21 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $18,186. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $32,991. That is a strong return on a $18,186 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan landed the #22 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,050, compared with $14,125 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $7,900. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $12,994. That is a strong return on a $7,900 median debt. Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan admits about 61% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University earned the #23 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $23,245 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $33,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #24 spot for visual communications value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $35,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Students borrow a median of $19,047 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $27,573. Set against $19,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Visual Communications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual communications:
Other Visual Communications Degree Levels
Explore the best-value visual communications schools at other degree levels:
View All Visual Communications Rankings >
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 · 128 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 128 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.
