by our College Data Analytics Team
[Graphic Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/graphic-design/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 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.
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for graphic design in Texas. 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. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $41,295. That is a strong return on a $11,835 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for graphic design. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $6,868. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Antonio College earned it the #3 place for graphic design. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #4 place for graphic design. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, 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%.
A rank of #5 makes Lamar Institute Of Technology one of the best values for graphic design. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,924. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,278 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $50,068. That is a strong return on a $14,278 median debt.
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Tyler Junior College landed the #6 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $14,869 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas State Technical College landed the #7 spot for graphic design value this year. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, with out-of-state students paying around $11,812. Students borrow a median of $15,679 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $23,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #8 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Lamar University placed #9 among the best values for graphic design. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #10 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $47,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #11 among the best values for graphic design. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $25,508 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $47,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,508 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University placed #12 among the best values for graphic design. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $39,959. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Baptist University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $39,430 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,601 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $57,088. Set against $25,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Houston Baptist University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of The Incarnate Word landed the #14 spot for graphic design value this year. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $27,986. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Edwards University placed #15 among the best values for graphic design. Saint Edwards University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $51,384. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $30,589. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Abilene Christian University came in at #16 for value in graphic design this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,200. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $38,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Dallas Baptist University landed the #17 spot for graphic design value this year. Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $48,822. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas Christian University landed the #18 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,740. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.