by our College Data Analytics Team
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) 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 368 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study graphic design affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Graphic Design Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Graphic Design Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the graphic design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among graphic design schools in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $19,839 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,839 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,861. Graphic Design graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $30,979 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #5 place for graphic design. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,132 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $24,907. Set against $9,132 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College landed the #7 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College landed the #8 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #9 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
Cerritos College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,306. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #12 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,694. Graphic Design graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #13 spot for graphic design value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #14 position for value in graphic design this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College landed the #15 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $11,835 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College placed #16 among the best values for graphic design. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,625. Graphic Design graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Burlington County College earned the #17 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $52,240 early in their careers. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #18 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #19 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. That is a strong return on a $11,795 median debt.
Spartanburg Community College landed the #20 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $10,148 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $41,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Wilkes Community College placed #22 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,125. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Cypress College earned the #23 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
San Antonio College came in at #24 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,839. Graphic Design graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $37,855 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #25 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Stockton, San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $6,382. Graphic Design graduates of San Joaquin Delta College earn a median of $65,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for graphic design this year:
These institutions also earned high marks for graphic design value:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #51 | Lenoir Community College | Kinston, NC | Full Report |
| #52 | University Of South Florida Main Campus | Tampa, FL | Full Report |
| #53 | Mchenry County College | Crystal Lake, IL | Full Report |
| #54 | Central Arizona College | Coolidge, AZ | Full Report |
| #55 | City College Of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | Full Report |
| #56 | Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill, CA | Full Report |
Also worth considering for value in graphic design:
Graphic Design is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
This list is compiled 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 · 368 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 368 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.