by our College Data Analytics Team
[Illustration](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/illustration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 1 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value illustration schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the illustration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Maine College Of Art earned the #1 spot for value among illustration schools in Maine. Set in the city of Portland, Maine College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,942. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $29,001. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Maine College Of Art admits about 76% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 1 school evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the one ranked school only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.