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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Ohio

6 Colleges in the United States
$22,368 Avg Student Debt
$44,682 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Graphic Design Badge [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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value graphic design schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Ohio

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Graphic Design Schools

1

Leading the list is Cuyahoga Community College District, our #1 best value for graphic design in Ohio. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,795 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $22,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,795 median debt.

2
Stark State College crest
Stark State College
North Canton, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stark State College earned it the #2 place for graphic design. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $17,349 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lakeland Community College earned it the #3 place for graphic design. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $51,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #4 place for graphic design. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $39,856. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

5
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH

Owens Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $45,785. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt.

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6

Cleveland State University came in at #6 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,875. Graphic Design graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $24,959 early in their careers. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

7

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,791 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $24,716. That is a strong return on a $26,791 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

8

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,645 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.

9

Mount Vernon Nazarene University came in at #9 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,193. Students borrow a median of $26,602 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Mount Vernon Nazarene University generally make around $53,377. That is a strong return on a $26,602 median debt. Mount Vernon Nazarene University admits about 84% of applicants.

10
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,150. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Cedarville University generally make around $35,768. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cedarville University admits about 65% of applicants.

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11

Miami University Oxford landed the #11 spot for graphic design value this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $47,295. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.

12

School Of Advertising Art Inc earned the #12 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Kettering, School Of Advertising Art Inc is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,914 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,187 ten years after entry. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. School Of Advertising Art Inc admits about 92% of applicants.

13

Art Academy Of Cincinnati landed the #13 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Art Academy Of Cincinnati is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,007. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $20,921. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Art Academy Of Cincinnati admits about 34% of applicants.

14

Cleveland Institute Of Art came in at #14 for value in graphic design this year. Cleveland Institute Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $48,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Graphic Design graduates of Cleveland Institute Of Art earn a median of $23,358 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

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 · 35 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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