2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Virginia
[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 10 schools to find the best return on investment for visual communications students.
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2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
Virginia Western Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools in Virginia. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $31,440. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Germanna Community College earned it the #2 place for visual communications. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $10,999. Visual Communications graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $41,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $33,232. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Thomas Nelson Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. 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. That is a strong return on a $10,195 median debt.
Radford University landed the #6 spot for visual communications value this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $34,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #7 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $36,156 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #8 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $25,802 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $46,761. Set against $25,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Marymount University placed #9 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,120. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $44,175. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Marymount University admits about 93% of applicants.
Liberty University came in at #10 for value in visual communications this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $40,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% 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. 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
