2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in New Jersey
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
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2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in New Jersey
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 Burlington County College this year. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $12,488. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
Sussex County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #2 spot this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $27,179. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes County College Of Morris one of the best values for graphic design. County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.
Brookdale Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,140 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Brookdale Community College earn a median of $37,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,651 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $26,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Berkeley College Woodland Park ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Berkeley College Woodland Park is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Woodland Park. Students from in state pay about $28,320 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,949 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $27,937. Set against $23,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rider University landed the #7 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,120. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,241. Graphic Design graduates of Rider University earn a median of $29,445 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
More Graphic Design Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
