by our College Data Analytics Team
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 657 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
The right graphic design school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Graphic Design 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.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Graphic Design Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the graphic design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among graphic design schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $19,839 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,839 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Saddleback College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Mt San Antonio College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
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Irvine Valley College landed the #6 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. 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, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,776. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hinds Community College came in at #8 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $16,385. Graphic Design graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $12,688. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $52,683. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
West Valley College came in at #10 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Santa Monica College placed #11 among the best values for graphic design. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #12 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,132. Graphic Design graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $24,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,132 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #13 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,861. Graphic Design graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $30,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College placed #14 among the best values for graphic design. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,306. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #16 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,191. Graphic Design graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,835. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $11,835 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,692. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College came in at #20 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $19,349. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College landed the #22 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $7,234. Graphic Design graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College came in at #24 for value in graphic design this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District came in at #25 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $22,517. Set against $11,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for graphic design this year:
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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 · 657 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 165 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
