by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among visual communications schools in Texas. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,835. Visual Communications graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,478 early in their careers. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #2 place for visual communications. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,939 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $40,289. That is a strong return on a $19,939 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Antonio College earned it the #3 place for visual communications. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Angelina College one of the best values for visual communications. Set in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,430, compared with $6,490 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $7,828. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Angelina College generally make around $50,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas earned it the #5 place for visual communications. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $22,288 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $33,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,288 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Texas State Technical College came in at #6 for value in visual communications this year. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, with out-of-state students paying around $11,812. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $15,679. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $23,345. Set against $15,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,353 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $44,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #8 spot for visual communications value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $44,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Blinn College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Baptist University landed the #10 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $25,601 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Houston Baptist University earn a median of $57,088 early in their careers. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Wade College earned the #11 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Dallas, Wade College is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,680. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $38,214. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $24,200. That is a strong return on a $38,214 median debt.
Texas Christian University came in at #12 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $60,035. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.