by our College Data Analytics Team
[Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual communications students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Bates Technical College tops our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools in Washington. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $19,695. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $60,000. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shoreline Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, with out-of-state students paying around $7,905. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Shoreline Community College generally make around $62,009. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Seattle Community College Central Campus one of the best values for visual communications. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $14,085. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $29,775. That is a strong return on a $14,085 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Highline Community College one of the best values for visual communications. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, compared with $5,332 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Washington University landed the #6 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #7 among the best values for visual communications. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $63,449. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University earned the #8 position for value in visual communications this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $31,078. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Seattle Pacific University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $39,248. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest College Of Art And Design earned the #10 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Tacoma, Northwest College Of Art And Design is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,100. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Northwest College Of Art And Design generally make around $27,694. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Whitworth University came in at #11 for value in visual communications this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,051 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Whitworth University generally make around $47,998. Set against $26,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Whitworth University admits about 90% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.