2026 Best Value Graphic Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

For return on investment in graphic communications, no school beat Lake Land College this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic communications, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.

3

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #3 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for graphic communications. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the graphic communications program here. 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.

4

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark Community College earned it the #4 place for graphic communications. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $41,313. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.

5

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $15,525. Graphic Communications graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $11,533. Graphic Communications graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earn a median of $33,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,533 median debt.

7

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #7 for value in graphic communications this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $12,492. Graphic Communications graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $43,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.

8

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College came in at #8 for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI

Kellogg Community College earned the #9 position for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Graphic Communications graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College placed #10 among the best values for graphic communications. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Graphic Communications graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.

11

Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH

Columbus State Community College landed the #11 spot for graphic communications value this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic communications graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL

Southwestern Illinois College earned the #12 position for value in graphic communications this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $10,388 in student loans. Graphic Communications graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #13 position for value in graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Students borrow a median of $18,296 to complete the graphic communications program here. Graphic Communications graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.

14

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, WI

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #14 spot for graphic communications value this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,016. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Northcentral Technical College placed #15 among the best values for graphic communications. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $41,696. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #16 position for value in graphic communications this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $19,339 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $30,059. Set against $19,339 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

17

Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI

Madison Area Technical College landed the #17 spot for graphic communications value this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $44,279. Set against $16,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #18 for value in graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,518 to complete the graphic communications program here. Graphic Communications graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,518 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

19

Huntington University
Huntington, IN

Huntington University earned the #19 position for value in graphic communications this year. Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $31,870 in tuition and fees. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $16,522. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Huntington University admits about 76% of applicants.

20

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #20 spot for graphic communications value this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, while out-of-state students pay about $19,265. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $48,744. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

21

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University landed the #21 spot for graphic communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $49,660. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

22

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $26,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $38,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

23

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University earned the #23 position for value in graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Graphic Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic communications graduates make about $24,941. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.

24

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic communications schools. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,088. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the graphic communications program here. Graphic Communications graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $26,309 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.

25

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #25 spot for graphic communications value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Students borrow a median of $25,864 to complete the graphic communications program here. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $27,256. That is a strong return on a $25,864 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.