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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for visual communications students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Palomar College, our #1 best value for visual communications in California. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Orange Coast College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Jacinto, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,728. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $8,770. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Mt San Jacinto Community College District generally make around $37,488. Set against $8,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. 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. That is a strong return on a $21,160 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes San Francisco State University one of the best values for visual communications. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. 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. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $34,845. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $16,787. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $60,797. That is a strong return on a $16,787 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #7 among the best values for visual communications. 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. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $63,833. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
California State University Monterey Bay landed the #8 spot for visual communications value this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,827 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $30,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Chico placed #9 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. 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. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $27,573. That is a strong return on a $19,047 median debt. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of California Davis landed the #10 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $32,816 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University placed #11 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,458 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.
Biola University landed the #12 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the suburb of La Mirada, Biola University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,984. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,308. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Biola University generally make around $45,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Biola University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Southern California earned the #13 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $18,262 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $64,846. That is a strong return on a $18,262 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
University Of San Francisco came in at #14 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $32,070. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.
Otis College Of Art And Design landed the #15 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Otis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,488. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $31,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Otis College Of Art And Design admits about 82% of applicants.
California College Of The Arts ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $60,226. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $28,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
