2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
23
Ranked Colleges
824
Degrees Awarded
$15,200
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Visual Communications is the 154th most popular major in the country with 5,765 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 824 visual communications graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 23 colleges that offer a degree in visual communications. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent visual communications programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the visual communications program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
More Ways to Rank Visual Communications Schools
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 23 Best Value Colleges for Visual Communications (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Purdue has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $5,853 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Visual Communications at Purdue
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $917 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Visual Communications at Northwestern
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 3 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Visual Communications at IU Bloomington
Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Madison Area Technical College landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 11 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Madison College, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Madison Area Technical College is $8,473 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Visual Communications at Madison College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 43 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Notre Dame is $9,136 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Visual Communications at Notre Dame
Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ohio State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $8,581 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Visual Communications at Ohio State
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 177 diplomas to qualified ’s graphic arts students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ivy Tech Community College has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ivy Tech Community College is $6,820 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Visual Communications at Ivy Tech Community College
Western Technical College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. La Crosse, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s graphic arts degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western Technical College, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,768 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western Technical College.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full Western Technical College Visual Communications Report
With a ranking of #9, Ferris State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ferris State University is a fairly large school located in Big Rapids, Michigan that handed out 4 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Ferris also made our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Ferris State University is $9,859 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Ferris State University Visual Communications Report
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. UC is a large public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 76 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $15,966 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Visual Communications at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
With a ranking of #11, University of Saint Francis - Fort Wayne did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of St. Francis Fort Wayne is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It awarded 10 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of St. Francis Fort Wayne has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of St. Francis Fort Wayne is $15,158 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Visual Communications at University of St. Francis Fort Wayne
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s graphic arts students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Green Bay, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $9,445 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.
Full UW - Green Bay Visual Communications Report
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. BGSU is a fairly large public school situated in Bowling Green, Ohio. It awarded 45 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
BGSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $14,822 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full BGSU Visual Communications Report
University of Michigan - Flint came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Michigan - Flint is located in Flint, Michigan and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s graphic arts degrees to qualified students.
UM Flint also made our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Flint is $8,952 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Visual Communications at University of Michigan - Flint
University of Evansville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. University of Evansville is located in Evansville, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s graphic arts degrees to qualified students.
UE also took the #15 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Evansville is $19,897 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Visual Communications at University of Evansville
Spring Arbor University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Spring Arbor University is a small school located in Spring Arbor, Michigan that handed out 3 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Spring Arbor, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,596 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Spring Arbor.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Spring Arbor Visual Communications Report
University of Dayton came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dayton, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s graphic arts degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, UDayton has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Dayton is $20,992 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full UDayton Visual Communications Report
With a ranking of #18, Anderson University Indiana did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Anderson, Indiana. It awarded 3 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
Anderson University Indiana did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $17,325 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Anderson University Indiana.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Anderson University Indiana Visual Communications Report
DePaul University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. DePaul is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
DePaul also made our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for DePaul is $27,252 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Visual Communications at DePaul University
Lawrence Technological University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southfield, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s graphic arts degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lawrence Tech, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $32,466 for great lakes region graphic arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lawrence Technological University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Lawrence Tech Visual Communications Report
Art Academy of Cincinnati landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Art Academy of Cincinnati is a small school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 5 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
AAC also took the #22 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,281 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Art Academy of Cincinnati.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Visual Communications at AAC
College for Creative Studies came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s graphic arts degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.
CCS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for College for Creative Studies is $32,383 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Visual Communications at College for Creative Studies
Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Graphic Arts Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 14 ’s graphic arts degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Loyola Chicago, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $29,357 for Great Lakes Region Graphic Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Loyola University Chicago.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Visual Communications at Loyola University Chicago
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
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