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

20 Colleges in the United States
$22,576 Avg Student Debt
$48,955 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Graphic Design Badge [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 84 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for graphic design students.

What’s on this page:

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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

1

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.

2
Century College crest
Century College
White Bear Lake, MN

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

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6

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.

7

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.

8

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.

9

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%.

10

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.

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11

Wichita State University landed the #11 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $33,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

Rochester Community And Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $20,291. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Rochester Community And Technical College generally make around $47,439. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.

13

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #13 spot for graphic design value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $42,462 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

14
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO

Park University earned the #14 position for value in graphic design this year. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Park University generally make around $46,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Graphic Design graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $38,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

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16

Wayne State College came in at #16 for value in graphic design this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $46,646. That is a strong return on a $22,974 median debt.

17

Saint Cloud State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $34,627 early in their careers. Set against $25,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

18

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #18 for value in graphic design this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $23,585. Graphic Design graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.

19

Iowa State University placed #19 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $27,000. Graphic Design graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,634 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

20

South Dakota State University landed the #20 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $35,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

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21

Minnesota State University Moorhead ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value graphic design schools. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the graphic design program here. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $38,587. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.

22

Rasmussen College Minnesota placed #22 among the best values for graphic design. Rasmussen College Minnesota is a large private for-profit school located in the city of St. Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,199. Graphic Design graduates carry a median of $32,080 in student loans. Soon after graduation, graphic design degree recipients from Rasmussen College Minnesota generally make around $32,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23
Drury University crest
Drury University
Springfield, MO

Drury University placed #23 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,745. Typical student debt for graphic design graduates is $26,641. Early-career graphic design graduates make about $37,267. Set against $26,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Drury University admits about 58% of applicants.

24

Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts landed the #24 spot for graphic design value this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,332. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,058 ten years after entry. Stevens Institute Of Business And Arts admits about 100% of applicants.

25

Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #25 among the best values for graphic design. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Students borrow a median of $24,621 to complete the graphic design program here. Graphic Design graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $39,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,621 median debt. Maryville University Of Saint Louis admits about 95% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Graphic Design Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s graphic design value ranking:

26
27
Webster University crest
Webster University
Saint Louis, MO
28
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE
29

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Notes and References

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 · 84 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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