2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in North Carolina
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
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2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in North Carolina
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
Leading the list is Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 best value for graphic design in North Carolina. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $30,979. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #2 place for graphic design. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Alamance Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $37,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Students borrow a median of $9,984 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $38,736. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #6 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $29,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #7 spot for graphic design value this year. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $28,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
Randolph Community College came in at #8 for value in graphic design this year. Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Asheboro. Students from in state pay about $2,416 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,176. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $32,198.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $13,414 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $32,153. Set against $13,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pitt Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,871, while out-of-state students pay about $13,087. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $19,741 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $43,022. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #11 position for value in graphic design this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $51,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Guilford Technical Community College earned the #12 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,320, while out-of-state students pay about $7,696. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,250. Graphic Design graduates of Guilford Technical Community College earn a median of $24,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #13 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $48,940. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Appalachian State University came in at #14 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $34,722 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Meredith College came in at #15 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,630. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $36,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
High Point University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,312. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Set against $23,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
