2026 Best Value Illustration Schools in Washington
[Illustration](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/illustration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for illustration students.
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Featured Illustration Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2026 Best Value Illustration Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the illustration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Illustration Schools
Our analysis ranked Lake Washington Institute Of Technology the best value for a degree in illustration in Washington. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Washington University earned it the #2 place for illustration. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $31,078. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Walla Walla University earned it the #3 place for illustration. Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of College Place. In-state tuition and fees average $34,227. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $28,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Seattle Pacific University one of the best values for illustration. 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. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $39,248. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Cornish College Of The Arts came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Cornish College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Cornish College Of The Arts generally make around $20,344. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
More Illustration Rankings
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
