2026 Best Graphic Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in graphic communications. Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 110 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Columbia College Chicago earn around $26,309 in the first couple years of their career. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full graphic communications program report for Columbia College Chicago

2

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Students looking for a strong graphic communications program will find one at Illinois State University, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 12 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graphic Communications graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete this degree. See the full graphic communications program report for Illinois State University

3

Lawrence Technological University
Southfield, MI

Lawrence Technological University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $74,924 in their early career. Lawrence Technological University graduates carry a median of $27,799 in student loans. Read more about the graphic communications program at Lawrence Technological University

4

University Of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stout is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in graphic communications, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 12 graphic communications degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $48,744 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic communications from University Of Wisconsin Stout

5

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. Ball State University awarded about 27 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $47,863. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans. See the full graphic communications program report for Ball State University

6

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $38,489. Typical student debt for the program is $26,981. Get the full graphic communications details for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

7

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage earned the #7 position for graphic communications this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. College Of Dupage awarded about 30 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Typical student debt for the program is $12,492. Read more about the graphic communications program at College Of Dupage

8

Madison Area Technical College
Madison, WI

Madison Area Technical College came in at #8 for graphic communications this year. This large public university is located in the city of Madison. Madison Area Technical College awarded about 20 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Madison Area Technical College earn around $44,279 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,812 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic communications details for Madison Area Technical College

9

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. About 25 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $44,523 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,963. More information about a degree in graphic communications from Harper College

10

Milwaukee Area Technical College
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #10 position for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. About 23 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Milwaukee Area Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $38,325 in their early career. Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic communications from Milwaukee Area Technical College

11

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #11 spot for graphic communications this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 91 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Graphic Communications graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $27,256 early in their careers. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,864 in student loans. More information about a degree in graphic communications from Depaul University

12

Northcentral Technical College
Wausau, WI

Northcentral Technical College came in at #12 for graphic communications this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Wausau. There were roughly 26 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Northcentral Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $41,696 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,709. Read more about the graphic communications program at Northcentral Technical College

13

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University came in at #13 for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $24,941. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the graphic communications program at Bradley University

14

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University landed the #14 spot for graphic communications this year. This large public university is located in the town of Big Rapids. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 83 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Ferris State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Ferris State University earn around $30,059 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,339 to complete this degree. See the full graphic communications program report for Ferris State University

15

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, WI

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #15 position for graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College awarded about 60 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $42,016 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,997 to complete this degree. Read more about the graphic communications program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

16

College For Creative Studies
Detroit, MI

College For Creative Studies placed #16 among the best graphic communications schools. College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. College For Creative Studies graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 80 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at College For Creative Studies in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of College For Creative Studies earn a median of $20,720 early in their careers. College For Creative Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the graphic communications program at College For Creative Studies

17

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Lake Land College awarded about 29 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $30,294 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic communications details for Lake Land College

18

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College placed #18 among the best graphic communications schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. About 31 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Joliet Junior College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995. Read more about the graphic communications program at Joliet Junior College

19

Cleveland Institute Of Art
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Institute Of Art landed the #19 spot for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. Cleveland Institute Of Art graduates 58% of students within six years. Cleveland Institute Of Art awarded about 21 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Cleveland Institute Of Art earn around $19,409 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the graphic communications program at Cleveland Institute Of Art

20

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College landed the #20 spot for graphic communications this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Lewis And Clark Community College awarded about 23 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic communications details for Lewis And Clark Community College

21

Columbus State Community College
Columbus, OH

Columbus State Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 111 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Columbus State Community College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $9,041. More information about a degree in graphic communications from Columbus State Community College

22

Columbus College Of Art And Design
Columbus, OH

Columbus College Of Art And Design ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Columbus College Of Art And Design awarded about 40 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $20,110 in their early career. Columbus College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the graphic communications program at Columbus College Of Art And Design

23

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College landed the #23 spot for graphic communications this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Moraine Valley Community College awarded about 22 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of Moraine Valley Community College earn a median of $43,844 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete this degree. Get the full graphic communications details for Moraine Valley Community College

24

Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI

Washtenaw Community College earned the #24 position for graphic communications this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. There were roughly 26 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Washtenaw Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $45,332 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,616. See the full graphic communications program report for Washtenaw Community College

25

Huntington University
Huntington, IN

Huntington University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Huntington. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Huntington University awarded about 21 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Huntington University generally make around $16,522. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in graphic communications from Huntington University