by our College Data Analytics Team
[Illustration](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/illustration/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value illustration schools.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in illustration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Marywood University earned the #1 spot for value among illustration schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,420. Students borrow a median of $27,362 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $25,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. Located in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,150. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design generally make around $25,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania College Of Art And Design admits about 99% of applicants.
Moore College Of Art And Design is a great value for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Moore College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,674 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Moore College Of Art And Design earn a median of $20,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Moore College Of Art And Design admits about 56% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts one of the best values for illustration. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,600. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $26,750. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Pennsylvania Academy Of The Fine Arts generally make around $17,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
