2027 Best Value Visual Communications Associate’s Degree Schools
[Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual communications education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 65 schools to find the best return on investment for visual communications students.
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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
Our analysis ranked Cuny New York City College Of Technology the best value for a degree in visual communications in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $12,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $21,445. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
El Centro College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,835. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $31,478. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $9,616. Visual Communications graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for visual communications. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $24,490. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College landed the #6 spot for visual communications value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,546 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the visual communications program here. 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.
Utah Valley University came in at #7 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $14,057 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $31,888. That is a strong return on a $14,057 median debt.
College Of Dupage ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $10,653 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $31,463 early in their careers. Set against $10,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College came in at #9 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,839. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $13,715 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $31,440. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
Austin Community College District ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $19,939 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $40,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College landed the #12 spot for visual communications value this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #13 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $22,024. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Mercer County Community College placed #14 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #15 for value in visual communications this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $10,864. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $40,452. Set against $10,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College placed #16 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $8,978. Visual Communications graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates Technical College placed #17 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
York Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. York Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,036 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,907 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $37,626. That is a strong return on a $10,907 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College came in at #19 for value in visual communications this year. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,950. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $17,655. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Atlanta Technical College generally make around $35,441. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.
Mchenry County College placed #20 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $24,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #21 position for value in visual communications this year. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $14,085. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $29,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #22 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,710 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $26,602. That is a strong return on a $12,710 median debt.
John C Calhoun State Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,120, compared with $8,990 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,839 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of John C Calhoun State Community College earn a median of $42,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,839 median debt.
Northwest Arkansas Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,479 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Set against $12,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #25 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,766 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $34,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,766 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Visual Communications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual communications:
Other Visual Communications Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Visual Communications rankings across degree levels:
View All Visual Communications Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 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.
