2026 Best Value Illustration Schools in the Southwest Region
[Illustration](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/illustration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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.
2026 Best Value Illustration Schools in the Southwest Region
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 Collin County Community College District the best value for a degree in illustration in the Southwest Region. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, with out-of-state students paying around $6,064. Illustration graduates carry a median of $6,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from Collin County Community College District generally make around $33,456. Set against $6,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $15,204. Early-career illustration graduates make about $51,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $13,750. Illustration graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Sessions College For Professional Design one of the best values for illustration. Sessions College For Professional Design is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $7,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $25,199. Illustration graduates of Sessions College For Professional Design earn a median of $19,275 early in their careers.
University Of Central Oklahoma is a great value for students pursuing a degree in illustration, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for illustration graduates is $15,875. Soon after graduation, illustration degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
