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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the graphic design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Community College Of Vermont the best value for a degree in graphic design in Vermont. Set in the rural area of Montpelier, Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,920, with out-of-state students paying around $13,640. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $12,125. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,182. Set against $12,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Vermont Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $24,208. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $41,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Champlain College earned it the #3 place for graphic design. Champlain College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Burlington. In-state tuition and fees average $47,850. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,885. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Champlain College generally make around $38,264. That is a strong return on a $26,885 median debt. Champlain College admits about 83% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.