[Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for instructional media design students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in instructional media design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Northern Illinois University tops our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools in Illinois. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $25,209. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $68,913. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
A rank of #2 makes Western Illinois University one of the best values for instructional media design. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $27,639. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $60,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values for instructional media design. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $23,730 in student loans. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $46,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Concordia University Chicago earned it the #4 place for instructional media design. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,956 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $68,606 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Aurora University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in instructional media design, landing the #5 spot this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $63,938. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
More Instructional Media Design Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
