2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
For return on investment in graphic design, no school beat County College Of Morris this year. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,420. Graphic Design graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. Set against $9,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,132. Graphic Design graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $24,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,132 median debt.
Monroe Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $27,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,625. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Burlington County College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $12,488. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $52,240. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
Sussex County Community College earned the #6 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $10,750. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $27,179. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,534 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $21,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #8 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $27,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Frederick Community College placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $10,778. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $43,733. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #10 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $25,257. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $39,412. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Brookdale Community College came in at #11 for value in graphic design this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $12,651. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,167. Graphic Design graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,167 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #13 for value in graphic design this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $19,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Finger Lakes Community College earned the #14 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,258, while out-of-state students pay about $8,442. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $16,736 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Finger Lakes Community College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,736 median debt.
Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #15 position for value in graphic design this year. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,263. Graphic Design graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. Set against $15,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anne Arundel Community College placed #16 among the best values for graphic design. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $59,894. That is a strong return on a $13,947 median debt.
Montclair State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,000. Graphic Design graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $26,027 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg landed the #18 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred landed the #19 spot for graphic design value this year. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $19,721 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred generally make around $43,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Villa Maria College landed the #20 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,670. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,395 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Villa Maria College generally make around $31,909. Set against $15,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton came in at #21 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,742, while out-of-state students pay about $15,769. Students borrow a median of $23,640 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Canton earn a median of $46,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Suny College At Oswego landed the #22 spot for graphic design value this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $32,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
York College Pennsylvania placed #23 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,588. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of York College Pennsylvania earn a median of $30,567 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #24 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $22,879 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $34,677 early in their careers. Set against $22,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #25 for value in graphic design this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Graphic Design graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Graphic Design Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for graphic design this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
