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2026 Best Value Graphic Design Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the graphic design degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Graphic Design Schools
Our analysis ranked Southeast Community College Area the best value for a degree in graphic design in the The Plains States Region. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $44,877. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Century College one of the best values for graphic design. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Century College earn a median of $41,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,424 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $25,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Hennepin Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, North Hennepin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,061. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $21,241. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $52,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota County Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in graphic design, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,679. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $13,474 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $50,429 early in their careers. Set against $13,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $18,197 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $42,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnson County Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Set in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,424 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,688. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $13,625. Graphic Design graduates of Johnson County Community College earn a median of $32,030 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,625 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #8 position for value in graphic design this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,525, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $17,001 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $41,902 early in their careers. Set against $17,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #9 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $25,100. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $38,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Missouri Western State University came in at #10 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $24,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $37,200. That is a strong return on a $24,362 median debt.