2027 Best Value Graphic Design Bachelor’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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 207 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value graphic design schools.
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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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among graphic design schools in the United States. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. 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. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,625. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $41,847. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #4 place for graphic design. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $24,410. Graphic Design graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $23,160 early in their careers. Set against $24,410 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Sacramento one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $32,240. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $38,938. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $12,688 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $52,683 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Portland State University landed the #8 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,995 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $35,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,995 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #9 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Ferris State University landed the #10 spot for graphic design 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $34,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University landed the #11 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $21,851 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,507. Set against $21,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabeth City State University placed #12 among the best values for graphic design. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Students from in state pay about $6,536 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $28,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #13 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,377. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #14 for value in graphic design this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $19,772 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $31,702. Set against $19,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Florida placed #15 among the best values for graphic design. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $18,523. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $49,208. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $23,394. Graphic Design graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,394 median debt. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
Oakland University earned the #17 position for value in graphic design this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,954 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $30,687. Set against $27,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University placed #18 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $21,160. Graphic Design graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $30,065 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University placed #20 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $12,886. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #21 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $65,681. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Lamar University landed the #22 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,988. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Universidad Del Turabo landed the #23 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the suburb of Gurabo, Universidad Del Turabo is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,250 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Universidad Del Turabo earn a median of $7,580 early in their careers. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $26,125 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $27,577. That is a strong return on a $26,125 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Graphic Design Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in graphic design:
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 · 207 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 207 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.
