2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in New York
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value graphic design schools.
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2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in New York
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 Suffolk County Community College this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,132 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $24,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $41,847. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Monroe Community College one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $10,250. Graphic Design graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $27,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohawk Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,534 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $21,012. That is a strong return on a $9,534 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Rockland Community College placed #6 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Finger Lakes Community College earned the #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,258, compared with $8,442 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $16,736. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,467. That is a strong return on a $16,736 median debt.
Villa Maria College placed #8 among the best values for graphic design. Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. 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. Villa Maria College admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $19,721 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Set against $19,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton landed the #10 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,742, compared with $15,769 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,640 median debt. Suny College Of Technology At Canton admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,530. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $32,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #12 among the best values for graphic design. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $22,879. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,677. That is a strong return on a $22,879 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earned the #13 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of Cobleskill, Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Students borrow a median of $23,490 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $31,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Fashion Institute Of Technology earned the #14 position for value in graphic design this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $20,692. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Suny At Purchase College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, while out-of-state students pay about $19,266. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $23,689. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $23,182. That is a strong return on a $23,689 median debt. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
St Johns University New York ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $57,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Adelphi University earned the #17 position for value in graphic design this year. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Students borrow a median of $25,487 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $51,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,210. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
Pratt Institute Main placed #19 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. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,880. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The New School earned the #20 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $23,606 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from The New School generally make around $36,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
