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2026 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
For return on investment in visual communications, no school beat Sinclair Community College this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $24,490. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes College Of Dupage one of the best values for visual communications. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,077 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $31,798. Set against $11,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. That is a strong return on a $11,795 median debt.
Triton College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $12,994. Visual Communications graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $12,710. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $26,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Columbus State Community College landed the #6 spot for visual communications value this year. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mchenry County College landed the #7 spot for visual communications value this year. Mchenry County College is a large public school located in the rural area of Crystal Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,162, with out-of-state students paying around $14,399. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $7,440. Visual Communications graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sauk Valley Community College earned the #8 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,340, compared with $12,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,811 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Sauk Valley Community College generally make around $48,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #9 among the best values for visual communications. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $23,146. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $56,930. That is a strong return on a $23,146 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #10 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,057 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $23,032. That is a strong return on a $12,057 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #11 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,750. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $34,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Madison Area Technical College earned the #12 position for value in visual communications this year. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $30,710 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for visual communications value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $44,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Ferris State University came in at #14 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $34,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Owens Community College placed #15 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $45,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #16 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $21,064 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $26,421. Set against $21,064 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay landed the #17 spot for visual communications value this year. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public school located in the city of Green Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, while out-of-state students pay about $17,288. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $18,186. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $32,991. Set against $18,186 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $36,864 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,100. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $45,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #20 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #21 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $36,351. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for visual communications. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $35,645. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Elmhurst College landed the #23 spot for visual communications value this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #24 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $25,851 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $52,526 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,851 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University placed #25 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $16,616. Visual Communications graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Visual Communications Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for visual communications this year:
Narrow Visual Communications Schools by State
[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.
