2027 Best Value Visual Communications Master’s Degree Schools
[Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 21 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
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among visual communications schools in the United States. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,750. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $34,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $37,755. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $33,867. Set against $22,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $44,506. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $29,250 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.
Iowa State University placed #6 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $35,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #7 for value in visual communications this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $36,351. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #8 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $19,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $33,615. Set against $19,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in visual communications this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $35,645. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Liberty University placed #10 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $50,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Furman University came in at #11 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,770 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $23,764. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Furman University generally make around $36,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Southern California ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $18,262 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $64,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
George Washington University came in at #13 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $22,910. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $54,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Drexel University placed #14 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Visual Communications graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $38,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Drexel University admits about 79% of applicants.
Syracuse University earned the #15 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Visual Communications graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $46,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Maryland Institute College Of Art ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $56,800. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $70,027. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryland Institute College Of Art admits about 77% of applicants.
Full Sail University landed the #17 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,906. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $37,882. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $41,119. Set against $37,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Savannah College Of Art And Design landed the #18 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,630. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $40,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Savannah College Of Art And Design admits about 83% of applicants.
Otis College Of Art And Design landed the #19 spot for visual communications value this year. Otis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $56,488. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $31,172. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Pratt Institute Main came in at #20 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $38,569. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
California College Of The Arts earned the #21 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,226. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $28,673. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
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 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
