2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Tennessee
[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 11 schools to find the best return on investment for graphic design students.
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2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Graphic Design Schools
Leading the list is East Tennessee State University, our #1 best value for graphic design in Tennessee. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $34,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $36,061 early in their careers. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Nossi College Of Art came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Nossi College Of Art is a small private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $20,350 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $46,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Nossi College Of Art generally make around $24,497. Set against $46,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Students looking for strong value in graphic design will find it at Lipscomb University, which ranked #4. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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Notes and References
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
