2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Massachusetts
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for graphic design students.
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2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Massachusetts
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
Our analysis ranked Holyoke Community College the best value for a degree in graphic design in Massachusetts. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. That is a strong return on a $9,763 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #2. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $41,020 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned it the #3 place for graphic design. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $29,660. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Boston University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earned it the #5 place for graphic design. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,400, compared with $43,400 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earn a median of $24,706 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design admits about 76% of applicants.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts landed the #6 spot for graphic design value this year. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,550. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $32,413. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Lasell College came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,040. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $29,661. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Assumption College came in at #8 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,356. Students borrow a median of $26,995 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Assumption College generally make around $28,032. Set against $26,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Suffolk University earned the #9 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $47,415. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suffolk University admits about 82% of applicants.
Northeastern University came in at #10 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $49,727. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Lesley University placed #11 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,500. Graphic Design graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $25,227 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Montserrat College Of Art came in at #12 for value in graphic design this year. Montserrat College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,690. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Montserrat College Of Art generally make around $19,865. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
