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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for illustration students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in illustration, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in illustration, no school beat Phoenix College this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $15,204. Early-career illustration graduates make about $51,053. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Mesa Community College one of the best values for illustration. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Illustration graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in illustration will find it at Sessions College For Professional Design, which ranked #3. Sessions College For Professional Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,400. Students borrow a median of $25,199 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $19,275.
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.