2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Maryland

[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual communications students.
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2027 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
Harford Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools in Maryland. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $50,636. Set against $12,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at University Of Maryland Baltimore County, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,531 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $34,020 early in their careers. Set against $21,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Bowie State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,218, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $28,474. Visual Communications graduates of Bowie State University earn a median of $47,668 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,474 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Stevenson University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,560. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $27,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Maryland Institute College Of Art came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,800 in tuition and fees. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Maryland Institute College Of Art earn a median of $48,637 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
More Visual Communications Rankings
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.