2026 Best Value Illustration Associate’s Degree Schools

1

Collin County Community College District
McKinney, TX

Collin County Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among illustration schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $6,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Cuyahoga Community College District
Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $11,795. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

A rank of #3 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for illustration. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,766 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $34,227 early in their careers. Set against $10,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

San Diego City College
San Diego, CA

San Diego City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from San Diego City College generally make around $26,218. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.

5

Sussex County Community College
Newton, NJ

Sussex County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. 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, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Illustration graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Mohawk Valley Community College
Utica, NY

Mohawk Valley Community College placed #6 among the best values for illustration. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Students borrow a median of $9,534 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $21,012 early in their careers. Set against $9,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Lakeland Community College
Kirtland, OH

Lakeland Community College earned the #7 position for value in illustration this year. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $19,857. Early-career illustration graduates make about $51,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Capital Community College placed #8 among the best values for illustration. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Illustration graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. 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.

9

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College came in at #9 for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $13,750. Early-career illustration graduates make about $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #10 spot for illustration value this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Illustration graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Henry Ford Community College
Dearborn, MI

Henry Ford Community College earned the #11 position for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $19,075. Illustration graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $19,911 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College came in at #12 for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a 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 $15,204 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Fashion Institute Of Technology
New York, NY

Fashion Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best values for illustration. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Illustration graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $14,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

14

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $34,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

15

Sessions College For Professional Design
Tempe, AZ

Sessions College For Professional Design ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Sessions College For Professional Design is a small private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $7,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,678. Early-career illustration graduates make about $19,275.

16

Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design
Lancaster, PA

Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design placed #16 among the best values for illustration. Set in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,150. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design earn a median of $25,830 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

17

Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA

Academy Of Art University placed #17 among the best values for illustration. Academy Of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,736. Students borrow a median of $33,437 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Academy Of Art University earn a median of $26,478 early in their careers. Set against $33,437 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main placed #18 among the best values for illustration. Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $40,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.

19

The New School
New York, NY

The New School earned the #19 position for value in illustration this year. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Students borrow a median of $21,211 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of The New School earn a median of $44,640 early in their careers. Set against $21,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.