2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #1 spot for value among graphic design schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #2 makes Red Rocks Community College one of the best values for graphic design. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,471. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Aims Community College one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,199 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $18,830. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $45,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Weber State University one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $21,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $16,066. Graphic Design graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Arapahoe Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Arapahoe Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $32,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pickens Technical College earned the #8 position for value in graphic design this year. Pickens Technical College is a small public school located in the city of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $5,140 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,250. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. 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.
Front Range Community College earned the #9 position for value in graphic design this year. 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. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,414. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University came in at #10 for value in graphic design this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
North Idaho College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,688. Graphic Design graduates of North Idaho College earn a median of $49,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $13,000. Graphic Design graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $33,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Denver landed the #13 spot for graphic design value 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. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $22,534. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $31,104. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 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.
