2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools to find the best return on investment for visual communications students.
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2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for visual communications in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $19,839. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $43,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, 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.
Trident Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Wiregrass Georgia Technical College one of the best values for visual communications. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Regional Technical College earned it the #5 place for visual communications. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #6 spot for visual communications value this year. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $22,024. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College placed #7 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, with out-of-state students paying around $5,950. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $17,655. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $35,441. Set against $17,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #8 spot for visual communications value this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, compared with $11,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $13,715. Visual Communications graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $31,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College placed #9 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $41,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York Technical College placed #10 among the best values for visual communications. York Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Students borrow a median of $10,907 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $37,626. Set against $10,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Albany Technical College landed the #11 spot for visual communications value this year. Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,364, with out-of-state students paying around $5,932. Students borrow a median of $16,321 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Albany Technical College generally make around $35,895. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Arkansas Community College landed the #13 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,479 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Northwest Arkansas Community College earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,479 median debt.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #15 spot for visual communications value this year. Set in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $13,839. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $42,916. That is a strong return on a $13,839 median debt.
Sowela Technical Community College came in at #16 for value in visual communications this year. Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. In-state tuition and fees average $4,305. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $7,391. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Sowela Technical Community College generally make around $45,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #17 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $33,232. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lanier Technical College placed #18 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,980 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,190. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $37,118. That is a strong return on a $12,278 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #19 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $36,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College landed the #20 spot for visual communications value this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $10,195 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $22,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Augusta Technical College landed the #21 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,282, while out-of-state students pay about $7,492. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,400. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Augusta Technical College generally make around $41,892. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the rural area of Hanceville, George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $9,090 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $13,146 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earn a median of $40,017 early in their careers. Set against $13,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Technical College came in at #23 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,775, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $17,652. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $36,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bossier Parish Community College placed #24 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,268. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $20,593. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $43,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #25 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $48,940. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Visual Communications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in visual communications:
Narrow Visual Communications Schools by State
More Visual Communications Rankings
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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 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.
