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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

34 Colleges in the United States
$20,661 Avg Student Debt
$54,169 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Graphic Design Badge [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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong graphic design education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 87 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 the Middle Atlantic Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the graphic design degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Graphic Design Schools

1

For return on investment in graphic design, no school beat Suffolk County Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,132 in student loans. 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.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for graphic design. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at County College Of Morris, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,210 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,420 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,420 median debt.

4
Burlington County College crest
Burlington County College
Mount Laurel, NJ

Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Burlington County College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Students borrow a median of $12,488 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $52,240. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.

5

Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $19,349. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

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6

Monroe Community College landed the #6 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $27,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.

7

Sussex County Community College earned the #7 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.

8

Mohawk Valley Community College earned the #8 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $9,534. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Mohawk Valley Community College generally make around $21,012. That is a strong return on a $9,534 median debt.

9

Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #9 position for value in graphic design this year. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,263 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Rockland Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $41,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Brookdale Community College placed #11 among the best values for graphic design. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Students from in state pay about $6,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,374. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Lehigh Carbon Community College placed #12 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Students borrow a median of $14,450 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $27,896. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Northampton County Area Community College placed #13 among the best values for graphic design. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $19,022. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Montclair State University came in at #14 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $26,027 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15
Cecil College crest
Cecil College
North East, MD

Cecil College landed the #15 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the rural area of North East, Cecil College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,830. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,952 ten years after entry.

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16

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #16 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $41,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Suny College At Buffalo landed the #17 spot for graphic design value this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,412. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.

18

Finger Lakes Community College landed the #18 spot for graphic design value this year. Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Canandaigua. Students from in state pay about $6,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,442 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Finger Lakes Community College earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred came in at #19 for value in graphic design this year. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Students borrow a median of $19,721 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.

20

Suny College At Brockport ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $39,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.

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21

Villa Maria College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Villa Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,670. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,395. Graphic Design graduates of Villa Maria College earn a median of $31,909 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,395 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

22

Suny College Of Technology At Canton ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Canton. Students from in state pay about $8,742 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $23,640. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $46,515. Set against $23,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Canton admits about 92% of applicants.

23

Anne Arundel Community College came in at #23 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $13,947. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #24 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $22,879 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.

25

Suny College At Oswego came in at #25 for value in graphic design this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $32,546. Set against $26,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Graphic Design Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in graphic design:

26
27
28
29
30
Marywood University crest
Marywood University
Scranton, PA
31
Point Park University crest
Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA
32
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, PA
33
Rider University crest
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
34
35
Robert Morris University crest
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA
36
37
38
39
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
40
41
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
42
43
44
45
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
46
47
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
48
49
Pratt Institute Main crest
Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY
50
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 87 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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