by our College Data Analytics Team
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the graphic design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Elgin Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools in Illinois. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $7,727. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #2 spot this year. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,995. Graphic Design graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harper College earned it the #3 place for graphic design. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rend Lake College earned it the #4 place for graphic design. Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ina. Students from in state pay about $4,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,800. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $8,688. Graphic Design graduates of Rend Lake College earn a median of $42,770 early in their careers. Set against $8,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Mchenry County College one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, while out-of-state students pay about $14,399. Students borrow a median of $7,440 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $24,177. Set against $7,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #6 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #7 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $34,670 early in their careers. Set against $18,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #8 spot for graphic design value this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $49,254. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Aurora University placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $51,483. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Elmhurst College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $22,400. Graphic Design graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
North Central College placed #11 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $28,037. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Chicago landed the #12 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,088 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,630. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Columbia College Chicago admits about 90% of applicants.
Depaul University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $30,536. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.