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2027 Best Value Digital Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region

12 Colleges in the United States
$24,755 Avg Student Debt
$53,720 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Digital Arts Badge [Digital Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/digital-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for digital arts students.

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2027 Best Value Digital Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in digital arts, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Digital Arts Schools

1

Leading the list is Washtenaw Community College, our #1 best value for digital arts in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $17,616. Digital Arts graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Whitewater one of the best values for digital arts. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the digital arts program here. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $28,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned it the #3 place for digital arts. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $24,485 in student loans. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $24,485 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kent State University At Tuscarawas earned it the #4 place for digital arts. Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Students borrow a median of $23,569 to complete the digital arts program here. Digital Arts graduates of Kent State University At Tuscarawas earn a median of $36,464 early in their careers. Set against $23,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

University Of Wisconsin Stout came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value digital arts schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Students borrow a median of $29,350 to complete the digital arts program here. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. Set against $29,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

6
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University earned the #6 position for value in digital arts this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,857 to complete the digital arts program here. Digital Arts graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $50,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,857 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne came in at #7 for value in digital arts this year. Located in the city of Fort Wayne, University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,460. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $27,000. Digital Arts graduates of University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne earn a median of $27,684 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

8
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value digital arts schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the digital arts program here. Digital Arts graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $54,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

9

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value digital arts schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the digital arts program here. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

10

Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for digital arts. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $18,819. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

11
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #11 among the best values for digital arts. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $22,400. Digital Arts graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Set against $22,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for digital arts. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Digital Arts graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

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Notes and References

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 · 12 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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