by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value graphic design schools.
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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.
For return on investment in graphic design, no school beat Bristol Community College this year. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,897. Set against $9,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at University Of Massachusetts Lowell, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $23,000. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $41,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Massasoit Community College, which ranked #3. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $10,894 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $42,938. That is a strong return on a $10,894 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned it the #4 place for graphic design. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $29,660. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earned it the #5 place for graphic design. Set in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,400, with out-of-state students paying around $43,400. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $24,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Massachusetts College Of Art And Design admits about 76% of applicants.
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Boston University earned the #6 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $49,254. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Lasell College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newton. Students from in state pay about $27,040 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $29,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,550 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $47,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Lesley University placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $34,256 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $25,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Northeastern University came in at #10 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $49,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Montserrat College Of Art came in at #11 for value in graphic design this year. Montserrat College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,690. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $19,865. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Endicott College placed #12 among the best values for graphic design. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,650. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $39,271. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Endicott College admits about 71% of applicants.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.