by our College Data Analytics Team
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong graphic design education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value graphic design schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the graphic design degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in graphic design, no school beat Century College this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,214. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Century College generally make around $41,814. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Hennepin Community College earned it the #2 place for graphic design. North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,061. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $52,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #3 spot this year. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $18,197 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $42,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,197 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Dakota County Technical College one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $13,474. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $50,429. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Cloud State University earned it the #5 place for graphic design. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $25,076. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $34,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $24,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $42,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rasmussen College Minnesota came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $32,080 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Rasmussen College Minnesota earn a median of $32,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #8 position for value in graphic design this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $29,026. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Augsburg College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value graphic design schools. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,452. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,319 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $59,409. That is a strong return on a $26,319 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Minneapolis College Of Art And Design earned the #10 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,484. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Minneapolis College Of Art And Design generally make around $23,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.