2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual communications students.
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2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the The Plains States Region
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
Western Iowa Tech Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools in the The Plains States Region. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,886. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
University Of Missouri Kansas City is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Students borrow a median of $18,601 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $40,230. Set against $18,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Bemidji State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $40,231. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
A rank of #5 makes Bellevue University one of the best values for visual communications. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $29,688. Visual Communications graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $61,548 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,688 median debt.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #6 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $26,477 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $33,695 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas landed the #8 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $37,508. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University came in at #9 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,634. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,260. Visual Communications graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #11 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $19,089 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $33,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #12 position for value in visual communications this year. Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $24,621. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $39,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.
Luther College landed the #13 spot for visual communications value this year. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,120 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $26,967. Visual Communications graduates of Luther College earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. Set against $26,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Webster University landed the #14 spot for visual communications value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,550. Visual Communications graduates of Webster University earn a median of $20,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,550 median debt. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
