2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the The Plains States 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the The Plains States 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
Southeast Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among graphic design schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Northeast Community College one of the best values for graphic design. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $6,990. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,424. Graphic Design graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $25,929 early in their careers. Set against $11,424 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Century College earned it the #4 place for graphic design. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $41,814. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hawkeye Community College earned it the #5 place for graphic design. Located in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $41,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College landed the #6 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,061 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $21,241. Graphic Design graduates of North Hennepin Community College earn a median of $52,492 early in their careers. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dakota County Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rosemount. Students from in state pay about $6,679 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,474 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $50,429 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,474 median debt.
Wichita State University placed #8 among the best values for graphic design. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $33,590. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $18,197 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $42,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson County Community College placed #10 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $5,688. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $13,625. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $32,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #11 for value in graphic design this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $42,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $25,100. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $38,637. Set against $25,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #13 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $38,585. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #14 spot for graphic design value this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $25,076. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,627. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University earned the #15 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Students borrow a median of $29,688 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $39,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa State University earned the #16 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Graphic Design graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,634 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $29,026 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rasmussen College Minnesota ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of St. Cloud, Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $32,080. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $32,364. Set against $32,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Dakota State University placed #19 among the best values for graphic design. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $35,944. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #20 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $53,134. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Park University placed #21 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $46,340. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt.
Drury University placed #22 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,745. Students borrow a median of $26,641 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,267. That is a strong return on a $26,641 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,166. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $24,621 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $39,623 early in their careers. Set against $24,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Augsburg College came in at #24 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,452. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,319. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Augsburg College generally make around $59,409. Set against $26,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts came in at #25 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,332. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,058 ten years after entry. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Graphic Design Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for graphic design this year:
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Notes and References
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
