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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the Southeast Region

19 Colleges in the United States
$20,263 Avg Student Debt
$48,258 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Visual Communications 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 74 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for visual communications students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Visual Communications Schools

1

Trident Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among visual communications schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.

2

A rank of #2 makes Chattahoochee Technical College one of the best values for visual communications. Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $44,673. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.

3

Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at Horry Georgetown Technical College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $17,500. Visual Communications graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $22,024 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $19,839. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,839 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Atlanta Technical College earned it the #5 place for visual communications. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $35,441. That is a strong return on a $17,655 median debt.

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6

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #6 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $10,864. Visual Communications graduates of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $11,693. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Virginia Western Community College came in at #8 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the visual communications program here. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $31,440. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Albany Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Albany, Albany Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,364, while out-of-state students pay about $5,932. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $16,321. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $35,895. Set against $16,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Tri County Technical College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. Students from in state pay about $4,448 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,007 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $15,787. Visual Communications graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. Set against $15,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Lanier Technical College crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA

Lanier Technical College came in at #11 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,980, while out-of-state students pay about $7,190. Students borrow a median of $12,278 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $37,118. Set against $12,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Northwest Arkansas Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Bentonville, Northwest Arkansas Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,342, compared with $5,238 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $12,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Northwest Arkansas Community College generally make around $40,671. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
Germanna Community College crest
Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College came in at #13 for value in visual communications this year. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $10,999. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University placed #14 among 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. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,572. Visual Communications graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

15

Danville Community College came in at #15 for value in visual communications this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $9,494. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $44,922. Set against $9,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #16 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $18,250. Visual Communications graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $33,232 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt.

17

Tidewater Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $10,195 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $22,935. That is a strong return on a $10,195 median debt.

18

John C Calhoun State Community College landed the #18 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the city of Tanner, John C Calhoun State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,990. Students borrow a median of $13,839 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of John C Calhoun State Community College earn a median of $42,916 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #19 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $36,758. Set against $14,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

West Virginia University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $39,847. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

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21

Georgia Piedmont Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value visual communications schools. Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Clarkston. Students from in state pay about $3,404 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,954. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $15,716 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $42,073. Set against $15,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Augusta Technical College placed #22 among the best values for visual communications. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,282, with out-of-state students paying around $7,492. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $41,892. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.

23

Sowela Technical Community College placed #23 among the best values for visual communications. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Sowela Technical Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,305 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $7,391 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Sowela Technical Community College earn a median of $45,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,391 median debt.

24

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #24 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $20,500. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $48,940. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

25

Piedmont Technical College landed the #25 spot for visual communications value this year. Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $17,652 in student loans. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $36,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Visual Communications Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for visual communications this year:

26
27
28
Winthrop University crest
Winthrop University
Rock Hill, SC
29
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
30
31
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA
32
West Liberty University crest
West Liberty University
West Liberty, WV
33
34
35
36
John Brown University crest
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR
37
38
39
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
40
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
41
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
42
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC
43
44
45
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
46
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 74 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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