2026 Best Value Illustration Schools

1

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Kirkland, WA

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earned the #1 spot for value among illustration schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,997, compared with $12,062 for out-of-state students. Illustration graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $13,287. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

3

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #3 place for illustration. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $11,795 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $22,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,795 median debt.

4

Collin County Community College District
McKinney, TX

Collin County Community College District came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Students borrow a median of $6,900 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $33,456. That is a strong return on a $6,900 median debt.

5

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,766 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $34,227. That is a strong return on a $10,766 median debt.

6

San Diego City College
San Diego, CA

San Diego City College earned the #6 position for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Illustration graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $26,218. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.

7

Sussex County Community College
Newton, NJ

Sussex County Community College came in at #7 for value in illustration this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $27,179. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay came in at #8 for value in illustration this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,827 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $30,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

9

Mohawk Valley Community College
Utica, NY

Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #9 spot for illustration value this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $9,534. Illustration graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $21,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Lakeland Community College
Kirtland, OH

Lakeland Community College placed #10 among the best values for illustration. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Students borrow a median of $19,857 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $51,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Capital Community College earned the #11 position for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo earned the #12 position for value in illustration this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $33,915 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.

13

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $15,525. Illustration graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College earned the #14 position for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Illustration graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University came in at #15 for value in illustration this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Early-career illustration graduates make about $34,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.

16

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,075 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $19,911. Set against $19,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University came in at #17 for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $20,000. Early-career illustration graduates make about $31,078. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

18

Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College earned the #18 position for value in illustration this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $15,204. Early-career illustration graduates make about $51,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #19 spot for illustration value this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Students borrow a median of $15,875 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

20

Fashion Institute Of Technology
New York, NY

Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #20 for value in illustration this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $20,692. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

21

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #21 for value in illustration this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $25,937. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $36,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

22

Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fredonia. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, while out-of-state students pay about $19,771. Illustration graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Suny At Fredonia earn a median of $19,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

23

Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #23 for value in illustration this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $38,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.

24

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #24 among the best values for illustration. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Early-career illustration graduates make about $29,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.

25

John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University earned the #25 position for value in illustration this year. Set in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,756. Illustration graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $24,893. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. John Brown University admits about 76% of applicants.