2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Wisconsin
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value graphic design schools.
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2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Wisconsin
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Graphic Design Schools
Our analysis ranked Milwaukee Area Technical College the best value for a degree in graphic design in Wisconsin. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $18,296. Graphic Design graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $27,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Technical College La Cross earned it the #2 place for graphic design. Western Technical College La Cross is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $12,057. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $23,032. That is a strong return on a $12,057 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Moraine Park Technical College one of the best values for graphic design. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. Students from in state pay about $4,819 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,471. Graphic Design graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $21,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,471 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,554 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $39,095. That is a strong return on a $15,554 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chippewa Valley Technical College earned it the #5 place for graphic design. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,234 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #6 for value in graphic design this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $30,710. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $29,734. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #8 spot for graphic design value this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,684 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,243. That is a strong return on a $23,684 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $49,780. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Carroll University landed the #10 spot for graphic design value this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $52,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,701, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $40,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design placed #12 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $43,743. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design earn a median of $28,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design admits about 60% of applicants.
Carthage College earned the #13 position for value in graphic design this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,750. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Carthage College generally make around $35,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
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Notes and References
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
