2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for visual communications students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
Sinclair Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $24,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for visual communications. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. That is a strong return on a $11,795 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Dupage one of the best values for visual communications. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,077 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $31,798 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Mchenry County College one of the best values for visual communications. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $7,440 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Columbus State Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the visual communications program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #6 position for value in visual communications this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,377. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #7 among the best values for visual communications. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $12,710. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $26,602. That is a strong return on a $12,710 median debt.
Ferris State University landed the #8 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $34,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #9 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $12,057. Visual Communications graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $23,032 early in their careers. Set against $12,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $44,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Madison Area Technical College earned the #11 position for value in visual communications this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $30,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College came in at #12 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $45,785. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #13 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $30,695. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $18,339. That is a strong return on a $30,695 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #14 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. 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. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $32,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Zane State College earned the #15 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, compared with $11,766 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $9,405 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Zane State College earn a median of $35,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,405 median debt.
Ball State University landed the #16 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $36,864. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #17 spot for visual communications value this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $21,064. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $26,421. Set against $21,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in visual communications this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $25,100 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,176 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #19 position for value in visual communications this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $46,561. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Kent State University At Kent placed #20 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $26,000. Visual Communications graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $36,351 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for visual communications. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,645 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Elmhurst College placed #22 among the best values for visual communications. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $22,400. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $51,232. That is a strong return on a $22,400 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $25,851 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $52,526 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Notre Dame ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $20,250. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Notre Dame earn a median of $46,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Baldwin Wallace College placed #25 among the best values for visual communications. Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $39,832. Students borrow a median of $27,307 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Baldwin Wallace College generally make around $46,668. Set against $27,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Visual Communications Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for visual communications this year:
Narrow Visual Communications Schools by State
More Visual Communications Rankings
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
