2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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 Pikes Peak Community College this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $16,066. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $13,287. Graphic Design graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Red Rocks Community College one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,471. Graphic Design graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Flathead Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kalispell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,912, compared with $11,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $16,094. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Flathead Valley Community College generally make around $45,868. That is a strong return on a $16,094 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $21,851 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,507. That is a strong return on a $21,851 median debt.
Community College Of Denver ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Students borrow a median of $18,830 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $45,202 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,830 median debt.
Southern Utah University placed #7 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
North Idaho College placed #8 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,396, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pickens Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Aurora, Pickens Technical College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,250. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Pickens Technical College generally make around $35,622. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Aims Community College placed #10 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Students borrow a median of $11,199 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $45,909. That is a strong return on a $11,199 median debt.
Arapahoe Community College came in at #11 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,434, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College generally make around $32,100. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Pueblo Community College earned the #12 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,049, compared with $17,649 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $42,377. That is a strong return on a $14,106 median debt.
Front Range Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $21,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #14 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $33,915. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Mesa State College earned the #15 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $43,617. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Lewis Clark State College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,610, while out-of-state students pay about $22,028. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $23,781. Graphic Design graduates of Lewis Clark State College earn a median of $44,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Denver came in at #17 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $31,104. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Narrow Graphic Design Schools by State
More Graphic Design Rankings
View All Graphic Design Rankings >
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.
