2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value graphic design schools.
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2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Graphic Design Schools
Leading the list is Lehigh Carbon Community College, our #1 best value for graphic design in Pennsylvania. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,450. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $27,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $19,022 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Allegheny County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned it the #4 place for graphic design. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,500. Graphic Design graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,382 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at York College Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Students borrow a median of $26,537 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $30,567. Set against $26,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #6 for value in graphic design this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $45,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Mercyhurst College came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $28,267. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercyhurst College admits about 81% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,307. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $46,912. That is a strong return on a $26,307 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Marywood University placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Marywood University generally make around $25,727. That is a strong return on a $27,362 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology came in at #10 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $45,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Susquehanna University landed the #12 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,850. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Susquehanna University earn a median of $42,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Susquehanna University admits about 81% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #13 for value in graphic design this year. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Graphic Design graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $36,433 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $43,324. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design landed the #15 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,150. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design generally make around $25,830. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design admits about 99% of applicants.
Drexel University landed the #16 spot for graphic design value 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. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $38,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Moore College Of Art And Design came in at #17 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Moore College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,674. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Moore College Of Art And Design generally make around $20,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
