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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Visual Communications Bachelor’s Degree Schools

74 Colleges in the United States
$24,531 Avg Student Debt
$61,153 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Visual Communications Bachelor's Degree Badge [Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual communications education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 329 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value visual communications schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the visual communications degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Visual Communications Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $19,839. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,144. That is a strong return on a $19,839 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $19,695. Visual Communications graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,695 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes Cuny New York City College Of Technology one of the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $21,445. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

4
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

A rank of #4 makes Northern Kentucky University one of the best values for visual communications. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for visual communications. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $14,057 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $31,888 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Farmingdale State College came in at #6 for value in visual communications this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $18,875 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $27,827. That is a strong return on a $18,875 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of California San Diego ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,787 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $16,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $12,250. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $63,449 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

9

San Francisco State University earned the #9 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $18,000. Visual Communications graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $34,845 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

10

California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #10 for value in visual communications this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $21,160 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $49,427. Set against $21,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.

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West Virginia University came in at #11 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $39,847. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

12
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah landed the #12 spot for visual communications value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $16,344 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Set against $16,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #13 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $34,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

14

Highline Community College earned the #14 position for value in visual communications this year. Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, with out-of-state students paying around $5,332. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $8,958. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Highline Community College generally make around $55,459. That is a strong return on a $8,958 median debt.

15
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in visual communications this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $20,250. Visual Communications graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $44,602 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

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16

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $56,930. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

17

Arizona State University placed #17 among the best values for visual communications. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $35,960. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

18

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #18 spot for visual communications value this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

19
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University placed #19 among the best values for visual communications. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $26,713 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $35,673. That is a strong return on a $26,713 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.

20

University Of Missouri Kansas City ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.

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21

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $18,186. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $32,991. Set against $18,186 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

22
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University placed #22 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $34,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

23

University Of California Davis ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $15,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $32,816. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of North Texas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $22,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $33,867. Set against $22,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

25

California State University Monterey Bay earned the #25 position for value in visual communications this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Students borrow a median of $14,827 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $30,378. Set against $14,827 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Visual Communications Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s visual communications value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
40
41
42
43
44
45
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
46
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
47
48
49
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
50

Other Visual Communications Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Visual Communications rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Visual Communications
Associate's Degrees in Visual Communications
Master's Degrees in Visual Communications
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View All Visual Communications Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 329 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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