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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 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.
Gateway Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools in Wisconsin. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,500. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $29,734. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,554 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $39,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $18,296 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $27,795. That is a strong return on a $18,296 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,234. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $45,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Madison Area Technical College earned it the #5 place for graphic design. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $30,710. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
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Western Technical College La Cross placed #6 among the best values for graphic design. Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,057 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $23,032. That is a strong return on a $12,057 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $23,684. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #8 position for value in graphic design this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $20,875. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $49,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #9 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,615. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Mount Mary College placed #10 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Mount Mary College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,420. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,500. Graphic Design graduates of Mount Mary College earn a median of $30,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Mount Mary College admits about 62% of applicants.
Carthage College came in at #11 for value in graphic design this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,750. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $35,511. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carthage College admits about 87% of applicants.
Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design came in at #12 for value in graphic design this year. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,743. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $28,801. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design admits about 60% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.