2026 Best Value Graphic Design Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among graphic design schools in the United States. 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. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,144. Set against $19,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for graphic design. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $34,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

3

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ball State University earned it the #3 place for graphic design. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Iowa State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Graphic Design graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $35,702 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

5

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

A rank of #5 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $25,937. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $46,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

6

Atlantic College
Guaynabo, PR

Atlantic College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Guaynabo, Atlantic College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,280. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $5,286. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $27,715. That is a strong return on a $5,286 median debt.

7

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $35,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

8

Fashion Institute Of Technology
New York, NY

Fashion Institute Of Technology placed #8 among the best values for graphic design. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $18,500. Graphic Design graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Fashion Institute Of Technology admits about 60% of applicants.

9

Arizona State University Skysong
Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona State University Skysong came in at #9 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $47,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

10

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $49,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

11

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University earned the #11 position for value in graphic design this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $74,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

12

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #12 spot for graphic design value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $50,570. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

13

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University earned the #13 position for value in graphic design this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $28,250. Graphic Design graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $49,727 early in their careers. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

14

College For Creative Studies
Detroit, MI

College For Creative Studies ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. College For Creative Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $53,350. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of College For Creative Studies earn a median of $32,665 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. College For Creative Studies admits about 92% of applicants.

15

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University came in at #15 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $22,910. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $54,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.

16

Maryland Institute College Of Art
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College Of Art came in at #16 for value in graphic design this year. Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $56,800 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,067. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

17

American University
Washington, DC

American University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $24,139. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from American University generally make around $54,585. That is a strong return on a $24,139 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

18

Pacific Northwest College Of Art
Portland, OR

Pacific Northwest College Of Art came in at #18 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Portland, Pacific Northwest College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,006. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,899. Graphic Design graduates of Pacific Northwest College Of Art earn a median of $19,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

19

Art Center College Of Design
Pasadena, CA

Art Center College Of Design ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,170. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $31,050 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $47,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Art Center College Of Design admits about 74% of applicants.

20

Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main placed #20 among the best values for graphic design. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $45,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

21

The New School
New York, NY

The New School came in at #21 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $23,606 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $39,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

22

Cranbrook Academy Of Art
Bloomfield Hills, MI

Cranbrook Academy Of Art earned the #22 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Bloomfield Hills, Cranbrook Academy Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. Graphic Design graduates of Cranbrook Academy Of Art earn a median of $38,290 early in their careers.