2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Southeast Region

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 66 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Southeast 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 University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $19,839. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $30,979 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Hinds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Students borrow a median of $16,385 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,125. Graphic Design graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Spartanburg Community College earned it the #5 place for graphic design. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $41,598 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College placed #6 among the best values for graphic design. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,086. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned the #7 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College placed #8 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #9 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Forsyth Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $16,374. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $29,715. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,500. Graphic Design graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $38,938 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Lenoir Community College placed #12 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,984. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $38,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alamance Community College earned the #13 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $13,414. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $32,153. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College landed the #15 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,653. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College generally make around $34,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Arkansas Community College placed #16 among the best values for graphic design. Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bentonville. Students from in state pay about $3,342 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $12,479 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,671. Set against $12,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Albany Technical College landed the #17 spot for graphic design value this year. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, with out-of-state students paying around $5,932. Students borrow a median of $16,321 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $35,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Randolph Community College came in at #18 for value in graphic design this year. Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Asheboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,416, with out-of-state students paying around $8,176. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $32,198.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College earned the #19 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,588. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $33,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elizabeth City State University placed #20 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,536 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $28,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of North Florida ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $18,523 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $49,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,523 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Somerset Community College placed #22 among the best values for graphic design. Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Somerset. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $13,722 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Somerset Community College earn a median of $35,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,722 median debt.
Lanier Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,980, compared with $7,190 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Lanier Technical College earn a median of $37,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pitt Community College landed the #24 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,871 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $19,741. Graphic Design graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,741 median debt.
Northwest Mississippi Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,990. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,001. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Graphic Design Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for graphic design this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 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.