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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for illustration students.
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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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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the illustration degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in illustration, no school beat Capital Community College this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $12,059. Early-career illustration graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. 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, 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Massachusetts College Of Art And Design one of the best values for illustration. Set in the city of Boston, Massachusetts College Of Art And Design is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,400, with out-of-state students paying around $43,400. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Massachusetts College Of Art And Design earn a median of $24,706 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boston University earned it the #4 place for illustration. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $21,250. Early-career illustration graduates make about $49,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hartford is a great value for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $29,515. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
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Lesley University earned the #6 position for value in illustration this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,256 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the illustration program here. Illustration graduates of Lesley University earn a median of $25,227 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.
New England College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools. New England College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Henniker. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,474. Students borrow a median of $35,038 to complete the illustration program here. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from New England College generally make around $68,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New England College admits about 92% of applicants.
Northeastern University earned the #8 position for value in illustration this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Illustration graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of New Haven earned the #9 position for value in illustration this year. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $27,000. Illustration graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Montserrat College Of Art earned the #10 position for value in illustration this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Montserrat College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,690. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Montserrat College Of Art generally make around $19,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maine College Of Art landed the #11 spot for illustration value this year. Maine College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,942. Illustration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Maine College Of Art generally make around $29,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rhode Island School Of Design earned the #12 position for value in illustration this year. Set in the city of Providence, Rhode Island School Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the illustration program here. Early-career illustration graduates make about $29,489. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
