2026 Best Value Visual Communications Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in visual communications 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. 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. Set against $19,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. 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. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

3

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $22,288. Visual Communications graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $33,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,288 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

4

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ball State University earned it the #4 place for visual communications. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $22,000. Visual Communications graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $36,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.

5

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned it the #5 place for visual communications. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $37,755. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

6

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #6 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $44,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

7

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $53,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

8

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,937. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $46,439. Set against $25,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.

9

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent landed the #9 spot for visual communications value this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $36,351. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

10

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in visual communications this year. 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. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

11

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis earned the #11 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $19,089. Visual Communications graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $33,615 early in their careers. Set against $19,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

12

Fashion Institute Of Technology
New York, NY

Fashion Institute Of Technology came in at #12 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of New York, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $29,250. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

13

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

14

Furman University
Greenville, SC

Furman University earned the #14 position for value in visual communications this year. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,770. Students borrow a median of $23,764 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $36,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.

15

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University came in at #15 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $50,570. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #16 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $18,262 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $64,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.

17

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University came in at #17 for value in visual communications this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $28,250. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $74,800. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

18

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University placed #18 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $54,222. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.

19

Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

Full Sail University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,906 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $37,882 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $41,119. Set against $37,882 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Maryland Institute College Of Art
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College Of Art placed #20 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Baltimore, Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,800. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $70,027. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maryland Institute College Of Art admits about 77% of applicants.

21

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #21 position for value in visual communications this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $46,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

22

Pacific Northwest College Of Art
Portland, OR

Pacific Northwest College Of Art earned the #22 position for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Portland, Pacific Northwest College Of Art is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,006. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $26,899 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $19,501. That is a strong return on a $26,899 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

23

California College Of The Arts
San Francisco, CA

California College Of The Arts landed the #23 spot for visual communications value this year. California College Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,226. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Visual Communications graduates of California College Of The Arts earn a median of $28,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24

Savannah College Of Art And Design
Savannah, GA

Savannah College Of Art And Design came in at #24 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Visual Communications graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $40,987 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.

25

Pratt Institute Main
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main earned the #25 position for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,845 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Pratt Institute Main generally make around $45,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.