2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Pennsylvania
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value graphic design schools.
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2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Leading the list is Lehigh Carbon Community College, our #1 best value for graphic design in Pennsylvania. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $27,896. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Community College Of Allegheny County one of the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,263. Graphic Design graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northampton County Area Community College earned it the #3 place for graphic design. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,250. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $19,022. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,382 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Marywood University came in at #6 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,362 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Marywood University earn a median of $25,727 early in their careers. Set against $27,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Point Park University came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,570. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $28,323. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.
Harcum College landed the #8 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,000. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,756. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,238. Set against $26,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,940 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Graphic Design graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $45,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Robert Morris University placed #10 among the best values for graphic design. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $29,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College earned the #11 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $28,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mercyhurst College admits about 81% of applicants.
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #12 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,355 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 Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $36,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Temple University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $43,530. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design earned the #15 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,150 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 Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design generally make around $25,830. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Drexel University placed #17 among the best values for graphic design. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $38,154. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Moore College Of Art And Design ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Moore College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,674. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Graphic Design graduates of Moore College Of Art And Design earn a median of $20,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
