2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools
[Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual communications education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 206 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual communications students.
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Finding the Best Value Visual Communications School for You
The visual communications program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Visual Communications Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Visual Communications Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
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2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for visual communications in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $19,839. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,144 early in their careers. Set against $19,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Chattahoochee Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $9,616. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned it the #3 place for visual communications. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $21,445 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,835. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $31,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #5. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,795 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $22,517 early in their careers. Set against $11,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $14,057 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $31,888. Set against $14,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District came in at #7 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $19,939 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $40,289. That is a strong return on a $19,939 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #8 spot for visual communications value this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $24,490. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College earned the #9 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College came in at #10 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College placed #11 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Virginia Western Community College came in at #12 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $13,715. Visual Communications graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $31,440 early in their careers. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Horry Georgetown Technical College placed #13 among the best values for visual communications. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $22,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,077 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $31,798. That is a strong return on a $11,077 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College earned the #15 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College placed #16 among the best values for visual communications. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, compared with $9,174 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned the #17 position for value in visual communications this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $10,864. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $10,999. Visual Communications graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications 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. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College placed #20 among the best values for visual communications. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College placed #21 among the best values for visual communications. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,655 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bates Technical College placed #22 among the best values for visual communications. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
York Technical College landed the #23 spot for visual communications value this year. York Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $10,907 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $37,626. That is a strong return on a $10,907 median debt.
Mchenry County College came in at #24 for value in visual communications this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. Students from in state pay about $4,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,399 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $24,177. That is a strong return on a $7,440 median debt.
Shoreline Community College earned the #25 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,115, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $16,700. Visual Communications graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $62,009 early in their careers. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Visual Communications Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for visual communications this year:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Visual Communications. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
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 · 206 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 206 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.
