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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong illustration education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1 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.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the illustration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Virginia Commonwealth University tops our 2026 list of the best value illustration schools in Virginia. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Illustration graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans. Early-career illustration graduates make about $36,156. That is a strong return on a $25,937 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 1 school evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
