2027 Best Value Graphic Design Associate’s Degree Schools
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong graphic design education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 131 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
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2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Graphic Design Schools
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for graphic design 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,861. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Joliet Junior College, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Santa Monica College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #5 place for graphic design. 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. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,835 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $41,295. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #6 spot for graphic design value this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,132 in student loans. 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. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons ranked #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College earned the #9 position for value in graphic design this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #10 spot for graphic design value this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,795 to complete the graphic design program here. 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.
Burlington County College came in at #12 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #13 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,692. Graphic Design graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College placed #14 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Hinds Community College landed the #15 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $16,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Hinds Community College generally make around $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College earned the #16 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College landed the #17 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. San Joaquin Delta College is a very large public school located in the city of Stockton. 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. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $65,168. Set against $6,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College placed #19 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $6,868. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Monroe Community College came in at #20 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $10,250. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $27,718. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Wilkes Community College earned the #21 position for value in graphic design this year. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College earned the #22 position for value in graphic design this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #23 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $43,834. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.
County College Of Morris earned the #24 position for value in graphic design this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Graphic Design Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s graphic design value ranking:
Other Graphic Design Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Graphic Design rankings across degree levels:
View All Graphic Design Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 131 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 131 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.
