2026 Best Value Illustration Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Kirkland, WA

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology tops our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $19,695. Illustration graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.

2

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #2 spot this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Illustration graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

3

California State University Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Monterey Bay earned it the #3 place for illustration. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,827 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $30,378. Set against $14,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

4

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Provo earned it the #4 place for illustration. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Illustration graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $33,915. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

5

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $34,045. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

6

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University landed the #6 spot for illustration value this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #7 for value in illustration this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Illustration graduates carry a median of $15,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. That is a strong return on a $15,875 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

8

Fashion Institute Of Technology
New York, NY

Fashion Institute Of Technology landed the #8 spot for illustration value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Illustration graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Illustration graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $27,023 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

9

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #9 for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,937 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $25,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

10

Suny At Fredonia
Fredonia, NY

Suny At Fredonia came in at #10 for value in illustration this year. Set in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Illustration graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $19,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Fredonia admits about 78% of applicants.

11

Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #11 position 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. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $38,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.

12

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #12 among the best values for illustration. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $29,660. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

13

John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University landed the #13 spot for illustration value this year. Located in the town of Siloam Springs, John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,756. Illustration graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $24,893. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

14

Massachusetts College Of Art And Design
Boston, MA

Massachusetts College Of Art And Design ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Located in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,400, while out-of-state students pay about $43,400. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Art And Design generally make around $24,706. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

15

Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University landed the #15 spot for illustration value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,407. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $26,000. Illustration graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $39,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

16

Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University earned the #16 position for value in illustration this year. Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,490 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $22,000. Early-career illustration graduates make about $31,921. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

17

Marywood University
Scranton, PA

Marywood University landed the #17 spot for illustration value this year. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Marywood University generally make around $25,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

18

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #18 among the best values for illustration. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $49,254. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

19

Minneapolis College Of Art And Design
Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis College Of Art And Design ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,484. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $23,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.

20

Walla Walla University
College Place, WA

Walla Walla University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of College Place. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,227. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $28,000. Illustration graduates of Walla Walla University earn a median of $28,436 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

St Johns University New York
Queens, NY

St Johns University New York landed the #21 spot for illustration value this year. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Early-career illustration graduates make about $57,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.

22

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago earned the #22 position for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,088. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $29,630. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

23

Webster University
Saint Louis, MO

Webster University came in at #23 for value in illustration this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Webster University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,550 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Webster University earn a median of $20,257 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

24

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University earned the #24 position for value in illustration this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Illustration graduates carry a median of $26,487 in student loans. Illustration graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $28,669 early in their careers. Set against $26,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

25

Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design
Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design landed the #25 spot for illustration value this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,743. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Milwaukee Institute Of Art And Design earn a median of $28,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.