by our College Data Analytics Team
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 657 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value graphic design schools.
What’s on this page:
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $17,075. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Mt San Antonio College one of the best values for graphic design. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes El Centro College one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $11,835 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,835 median debt.
1
2
3
4
5
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #6 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $30,979. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Santa Monica College came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #8 spot for graphic design value this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,132 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $24,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. 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.
Cerritos College placed #10 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,306. Graphic Design graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hinds Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Hinds Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Raymond. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,300. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $16,385. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,003. Set against $16,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #12 among the best values for graphic design. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,692. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College came in at #13 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Pasadena City College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $7,234. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #16 spot for graphic design value this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,795 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. That is a strong return on a $11,795 median debt.
Harper College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College came in at #18 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $6,868. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #19 for value in graphic design this year. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $16,374. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $29,715. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College landed the #20 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,088.
Diablo Valley College landed the #21 spot for graphic design value this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,205. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Burlington County College earned the #22 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #23 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,584. Set against $16,909 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College earned the #24 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
San Diego City College placed #25 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s graphic design value ranking:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Graphic Design rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 34 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.