2027 Best Value Graphic Design Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
College Factual analyzed 19 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
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the graphic design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Graphic Design Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among graphic design schools in the United States. 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. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $20,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Iowa State University one of the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $35,702. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Atlantic College earned it the #4 place for graphic design. Atlantic College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Guaynabo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,280. Students borrow a median of $5,286 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $27,715. Set against $5,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #5 spot this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,791 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $24,716. Set against $26,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Arizona State University Skysong earned the #6 position for value in graphic design this year. Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public school located in the city of Scottsdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of $47,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Yale University came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Boston University landed the #8 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $21,250. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $49,254. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,645 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Liberty University placed #10 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $50,570 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design came in at #11 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,484. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Minneapolis College Of Art And Design generally make around $23,687. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minneapolis College Of Art And Design admits about 48% of applicants.
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $34,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
George Washington University placed #13 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $22,910. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $54,222. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University came in at #14 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $38,154. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Maryland Institute College Of Art came in at #15 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,800. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Maryland Institute College Of Art generally make around $37,067. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryland Institute College Of Art admits about 77% of applicants.
Art Center College Of Design landed the #16 spot for graphic design value this year. Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $54,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $31,050. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Art Center College Of Design generally make around $47,053. That is a strong return on a $31,050 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Otis College Of Art And Design earned the #17 position for value in graphic design this year. Otis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,488. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Otis College Of Art And Design generally make around $31,172. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Pratt Institute Main placed #18 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,845. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $19,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $45,720. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
The New School earned the #19 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Students borrow a median of $23,606 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from The New School generally make around $39,393. That is a strong return on a $23,606 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
