2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Texas
[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.
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 Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among visual communications schools in Texas. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $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 Austin Community College District one of the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $19,939 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $40,289. That is a strong return on a $19,939 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Antonio College earned it the #3 place for visual communications. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,839. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Angelina College earned it the #4 place for visual communications. Located in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,430, compared with $6,490 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,828 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $50,767. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Blinn College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,465 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $43,408. Set against $16,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas State Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,212, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $15,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas came in at #7 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $22,288 to complete the visual communications program here. 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. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $24,353 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $44,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $44,506. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,601. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $57,088. That is a strong return on a $25,601 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Wade College came in at #11 for value in visual communications this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $38,214 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Wade College earn a median of $24,200 early in their careers. Set against $38,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Christian University earned the #12 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $60,035. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
More Visual Communications Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 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.
