2027 Best Value Illustration Schools
[Illustration](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/illustration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong illustration education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 70 schools to find the best return on investment for illustration students.
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Finding the Best Value Illustration School for You
The illustration program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Illustration Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Illustration Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
2027 Best Value Illustration Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the illustration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Illustration Schools
Collin County Community College District tops our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Illustration graduates carry a median of $6,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $33,456. That is a strong return on a $6,900 median debt.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $19,695. Early-career illustration graduates make about $60,000. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #3 place for illustration. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Illustration graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $22,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for illustration. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Sussex County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,544, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Sussex County Community College generally make around $27,179. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ferris State University placed #6 among the best values for illustration. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $34,045. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Salt Lake Community College placed #7 among the best values for illustration. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,766 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $34,227. That is a strong return on a $10,766 median debt.
San Diego City College landed the #8 spot for illustration value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $9,514. Illustration graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohawk Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Illustration graduates carry a median of $9,534 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $21,012 early in their careers. Set against $9,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeland Community College came in at #10 for value in illustration this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Students borrow a median of $19,857 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Lakeland Community College generally make around $51,941. That is a strong return on a $19,857 median debt.
Mesa Community College placed #11 among the best values for illustration. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $13,750. Early-career illustration graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College earned the #12 position for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $19,075 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $19,911. That is a strong return on a $19,075 median debt.
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #13 position for value in illustration this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Illustration graduates carry a median of $14,827 in student loans. Illustration graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $49,032 early in their careers. Set against $14,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Capital Community College came in at #14 for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #15 position for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $13,000. Early-career illustration graduates make about $33,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #16 for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $20,692. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Phoenix College landed the #17 spot for illustration value this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Oklahoma placed #18 among the best values for illustration. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $15,875. Illustration graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. Set against $15,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Western Washington University earned the #19 position for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Illustration graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $31,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Suny At Fredonia placed #20 among the best values for illustration. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Illustration graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $19,451. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.
Boston University placed #21 among the best values for illustration. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $21,250. Illustration graduates of Boston University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #22 position for value in illustration this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $29,660. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
John Brown University landed the #23 spot for illustration value this year. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,756. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from John Brown University generally make around $24,893. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value illustration schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $25,937. Early-career illustration graduates make about $36,156. That is a strong return on a $25,937 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #25 for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $39,248. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Illustration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in illustration:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Illustration. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 70 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.
