by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for graphic design students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Central Piedmont Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools in North Carolina. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $30,979. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Wilkes Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #3. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #4 spot this year. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $29,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wake Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for graphic design. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $13,414 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $32,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,414 median debt.
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Lenoir Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Students borrow a median of $9,984 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $38,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pitt Community College came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,871, with out-of-state students paying around $13,087. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $19,741. Graphic Design graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,741 median debt.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #8 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,536, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,992. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $28,300. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
Randolph Community College earned the #9 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,416, compared with $8,176 for out-of-state students. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $32,198.
Guilford Technical Community College came in at #10 for value in graphic design this year. Guilford Technical Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Jamestown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,320, with out-of-state students paying around $7,696. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,250. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $24,827. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #11 for value in graphic design this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #12 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,958 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $30,470. Set against $29,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Appalachian State University placed #13 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $34,722. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #14 among the best values for graphic design. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $48,940. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Chowan University earned the #15 position for value in graphic design this year. Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,910. Students borrow a median of $32,131 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Chowan University generally make around $30,165. That is a strong return on a $32,131 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Meredith College came in at #16 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,630. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $36,357. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Queens University Of Charlotte placed #17 among the best values for graphic design. Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $45,846 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $31,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
High Point University came in at #18 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,312. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. That is a strong return on a $23,785 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.