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2026 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Maryland

3 Colleges in the United States
$23,326 Avg Student Debt
$53,391 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Visual Communications Badge [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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for visual communications students.

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2026 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Maryland

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Visual Communications Schools

1

For return on investment in visual communications, no school beat Harford Community College this year. Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Bel Air. Students from in state pay about $4,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,832 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $50,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Cecil College crest
Cecil College
North East, MD

Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Cecil College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,640, with out-of-state students paying around $10,830. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,952 ten years after entry.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned it the #3 place for visual communications. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $21,531. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $34,020. That is a strong return on a $21,531 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Bowie State University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $28,474. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $47,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.

5
Stevenson University crest
Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stevenson University earned it the #5 place for visual communications. Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Owings Mills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,560. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Stevenson University generally make around $27,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stevenson University admits about 79% of applicants.

6

Maryland Institute College Of Art ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,800. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Maryland Institute College Of Art generally make around $48,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maryland Institute College Of Art admits about 77% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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