2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the Southwest 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual communications students.
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2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in visual communications in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $11,835 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $31,478 early in their careers. Set against $11,835 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes San Antonio College one of the best values for visual communications. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #3. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $19,939 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $40,289. Set against $19,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Angelina College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,430, with out-of-state students paying around $6,490. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $7,828. Visual Communications graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Blinn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $16,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Blinn College generally make around $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College landed the #6 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tulsa Technology Center earned the #7 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,384 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $32,406. That is a strong return on a $11,384 median debt.
Scottsdale Community College placed #8 among the best values for visual communications. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $13,084. Visual Communications graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $38,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center came in at #9 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the rural area of Choctaw, Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center is a small public institution. Median earnings reach $49,311 ten years out.
Texas State Technical College earned the #10 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Students borrow a median of $15,679 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $23,345. That is a strong return on a $15,679 median debt.
Northern Arizona University came in at #11 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $23,245 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $33,964. Set against $23,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #12 spot for visual communications value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $21,500. Visual Communications graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,589 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $37,755. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of North Texas ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $22,288. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $33,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Arizona earned the #15 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #16 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $24,353. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $44,396. Set against $24,353 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #17 spot for visual communications value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $22,500. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $44,506. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University placed #18 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,430. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,601. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $57,088. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Wade College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Wade College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $17,680 in tuition and fees. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $38,214 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Wade College generally make around $24,200. Set against $38,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Christian University came in at #20 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
