2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Iowa
[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.
College Factual analyzed 3 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value visual communications schools.
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2027 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
Our analysis ranked Western Iowa Tech Community College the best value for a degree in visual communications in Iowa. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. 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. Set against $11,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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.
Luther College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,967 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
More Visual Communications Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
