2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Pennsylvania
[Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual communications students.
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2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Lehigh Carbon Community College earned the #1 spot for value among visual communications schools in Pennsylvania. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $27,896. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, which ranked #2. Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisburg. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $22,952 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
La Roche College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the suburb of Pittsburgh, La Roche College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,052 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,078 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from La Roche College generally make around $54,268. Set against $27,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Roche College admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,028. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Juniata College landed the #6 spot for visual communications value this year. Set in the town of Huntingdon, Juniata College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,580. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $30,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Juniata College admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #8 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $36,433. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #9 spot for visual communications value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $93,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design placed #10 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,150 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design generally make around $25,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Lehigh University landed the #11 spot for visual communications value this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
Drexel University earned the #12 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,412 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $38,154. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
More Visual Communications Rankings
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
