by our College Data Analytics Team
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.
South Texas College earned the #1 spot for value among graphic design schools in Texas. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $6,868. Graphic Design graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $30,227 early in their careers. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #2 place for graphic design. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,835. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at San Antonio College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #4. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Amarillo College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $41,053. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #6 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $54,201. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University earned the #7 position for value in graphic design this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Tyler Junior College came in at #8 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. That is a strong return on a $14,869 median debt.
Texas State Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,679. Graphic Design graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $40,747 early in their careers. Set against $15,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston came in at #10 for value in graphic design this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $47,461. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University earned the #11 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Students borrow a median of $29,824 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $53,784. Set against $29,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Lamar Institute Of Technology earned the #12 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,844, compared with $12,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,278 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Lamar Institute Of Technology earn a median of $50,068 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #13 spot for graphic design value this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $47,130. Set against $25,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University placed #14 among the best values for graphic design. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $39,959 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
West Texas A And M University placed #15 among the best values for graphic design. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. In-state tuition and fees average $9,101, with out-of-state students paying around $10,996. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $22,333. Graphic Design graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Set against $22,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Houston Baptist University came in at #16 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $57,088. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of The Incarnate Word ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $51,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Saint Edwards University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Austin, Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,384. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Saint Edwards University generally make around $30,589. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Saint Edwards University admits about 81% of applicants.
Abilene Christian University landed the #19 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $21,875. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Abilene Christian University generally make around $38,553. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Dallas Baptist University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,819 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $48,822. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Christian University placed #21 among the best values for graphic design. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $22,960. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.