2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Arizona
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong graphic design education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Arizona
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
Central Arizona College earned the #1 spot for value among graphic design schools in Arizona. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Yavapai College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #2 spot this year. Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Prescott. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $52,087. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Phoenix College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #3 spot this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,996. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Mesa Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $41,589. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Sessions College For Professional Design placed #7 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Tempe, Sessions College For Professional Design is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $25,199. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Sessions College For Professional Design generally make around $19,275.
Bryan University Los Angeles placed #8 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Tempe, Bryan University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,219. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Bryan University Los Angeles generally make around $31,425. That is a strong return on a $26,400 median debt.
Grand Canyon University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $38,976. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
