2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Illinois
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 17 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
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2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Graphic Design Schools
For return on investment in graphic design, no school beat Joliet Junior College this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,995. Graphic Design graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Lincoln Land Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,272. 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.
A rank of #3 makes Elgin Community College one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the graphic design program here. 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.
Mchenry County College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for graphic design. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,377. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rend Lake College came in at #6 for value in graphic design this year. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. In-state tuition and fees average $4,500, while out-of-state students pay about $7,800. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Rend Lake College generally make around $42,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $34,670 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,839 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Northeastern Illinois University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,600. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $49,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University landed the #10 spot for graphic design value this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Roosevelt University landed the #11 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,315 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $20,417. Graphic Design graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $19,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
North Central College came in at #12 for value in graphic design this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. In-state tuition and fees average $45,726. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $28,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Central College admits about 77% of applicants.
Benedictine University earned the #13 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $25,338. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $54,212. That is a strong return on a $25,338 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Augustana College Illinois ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,764. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $39,096. Set against $26,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Elmhurst College landed the #15 spot for graphic design value this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Columbia College Chicago came in at #16 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $29,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Depaul University earned the #17 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $30,536. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
