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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Southwest Region

19 Colleges in the United States
$18,945 Avg Student Debt
$46,517 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Graphic Design Badge [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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 64 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value graphic design schools.

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2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in graphic design, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Graphic Design Schools

1
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in graphic design in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,835 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. That is a strong return on a $11,835 median debt.

2

South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #2 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

3
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Antonio College earned it the #3 place for graphic design. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $37,855. That is a strong return on a $11,839 median debt.

4

A rank of #4 makes Central Arizona College one of the best values for graphic design. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,635. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $48,826. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #5 spot this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

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6
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College came in at #6 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,087 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Lamar Institute Of Technology came in at #7 for value in graphic design this year. Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $2,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,924. Students borrow a median of $14,278 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Lamar Institute Of Technology earn a median of $50,068 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Pontotoc Technology Center came in at #8 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the rural area of Ada, Pontotoc Technology Center is a small public university. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $44,846.

9

Tyler Junior College landed the #9 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,869. Graphic Design graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University landed the #10 spot for graphic design value this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,988. Graphic Design graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

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11

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #11 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $54,201. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

12

Texas State Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,679 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $23,345 early in their careers. Set against $15,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Gordon Cooper Technology Center landed the #13 spot for graphic design value this year. Gordon Cooper Technology Center is a small public school located in the town of Shawnee. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $44,822.

14

Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the town of Okmulgee, Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,774 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,384. Students borrow a median of $13,356 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $28,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #15 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $15,996. Graphic Design graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.

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16

Southern Oklahoma Technology Center placed #16 among the best values for graphic design. Southern Oklahoma Technology Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Ardmore. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,012.

17

Arizona State University placed #17 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $41,589. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

18

Tulsa Technology Center ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $11,384. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $32,406. Set against $11,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College landed the #19 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Francis Tuttle Technology Center earned the #20 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $14,859. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $26,570. Set against $14,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

Mesa Community College landed the #21 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.

22

University Of Houston came in at #22 for value in graphic design this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $47,461. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

23

Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester came in at #23 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of McAlester, Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester is a mid-sized public university. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $7,992 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Kiamichi Technology Center Mcalester earn a median of $23,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

25

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #25 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $25,508 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $47,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Graphic Design Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for graphic design this year:

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28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36

Narrow Graphic Design Schools by State

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Notes and References

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 · 64 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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