2026 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Indiana

[Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual communications students.
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2026 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in Indiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among visual communications schools in Indiana. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. 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. 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. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Ivy Tech Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $12,710. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $26,602. That is a strong return on a $12,710 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #3 place for visual communications. 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, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $23,146. Visual Communications graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $56,930 early in their careers. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,064 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $26,421. That is a strong return on a $21,064 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $36,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Notre Dame earned the #6 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,025. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $46,825. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
More Visual Communications Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.