by our College Data Analytics Team
[Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual communications students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in visual communications, no school beat Palomar College this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bates Technical College earned it the #2 place for visual communications. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $19,695. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shoreline Community College earned it the #5 place for visual communications. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. In-state tuition and fees average $5,115, compared with $7,905 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,700 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $62,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College Central Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $14,085. Visual Communications graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $29,775 early in their careers. Set against $14,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District placed #7 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,728. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $8,770 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Mt San Jacinto Community College District earn a median of $37,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,770 median debt.
Highline Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Des Moines. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Students borrow a median of $8,958 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Highline Community College earn a median of $55,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,958 median debt.
Portland Community College placed #9 among the best values for visual communications. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,440. Students borrow a median of $17,512 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $26,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #10 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $21,160 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $49,427. Set against $21,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
San Francisco State University placed #11 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $34,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #12 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $16,787 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #13 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Rogue Community College landed the #14 spot for visual communications value this year. Set in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $15,248 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $51,243. That is a strong return on a $15,248 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #15 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. 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. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $63,449 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #16 for value in visual communications 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. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $30,378. That is a strong return on a $14,827 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Eastern Washington University came in at #17 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $21,754. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $47,144. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis came in at #18 for value in visual communications this year. 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, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $32,816. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
California State University Chico came in at #19 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $19,047 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $27,573 early in their careers. Set against $19,047 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #20 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $19,918. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $50,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University landed the #21 spot for visual communications value this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $20,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $31,078. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Azusa Pacific University came in at #22 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $23,709. Visual Communications graduates of Azusa Pacific University earn a median of $58,302 early in their careers. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #23 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $39,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Seattle Pacific University admits about 83% of applicants.
Whitworth University placed #24 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $47,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Southern California placed #25 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $18,262. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $64,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual communications:
This list is compiled 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
