[Graphic Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/graphic-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 413 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic communications students.
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Finding the Best Value Graphic Communications School for You
The right graphic communications school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Graphic Communications Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Graphic Communications Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value graphic communications schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in graphic communications will find it at Florida State College At Jacksonville, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $19,139. Graphic Communications graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $30,795 early in their careers. Set against $19,139 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canada College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $15,000. Graphic Communications graduates of Canada College earn a median of $106,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for graphic communications. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #6 for value in graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the graphic communications program here. Graphic Communications graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $48,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
College Of The Canyons landed the #7 spot for graphic communications value this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $9,776. Graphic Communications graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #8 for value in graphic communications this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Valley Community College came in at #9 for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the graphic communications program here. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $43,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College landed the #11 spot for graphic communications value this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Graphic Communications graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #12 spot for graphic communications value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College placed #13 among the best values for graphic communications. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Santa Ana College earned the #14 position for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Graphic Communications graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College placed #15 among the best values for graphic communications. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $14,557. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Norco College landed the #16 spot for graphic communications value this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #17 for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $9,602. Graphic Communications graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College came in at #18 for value in graphic communications this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #19 among the best values for graphic communications. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Riverside City College placed #20 among the best values for graphic communications. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $8,767 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $37,102. That is a strong return on a $8,767 median debt.
Sacramento City College landed the #21 spot for graphic communications value this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the graphic communications program here. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College placed #22 among the best values for graphic communications. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College came in at #23 for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chabot College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Chabot College is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,122 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Chabot College generally make around $85,175. Set against $14,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #25 among the best values for graphic communications. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $8,794. Graphic Communications graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $23,319 early in their careers. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Graphic Communications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in graphic communications:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 413 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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).
[Graphic Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/graphic-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
