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2026 Best Value Visual Communications Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in visual communications, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Visual Communications Schools
For return on investment in visual communications, no school beat Western Iowa Tech Community College this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $11,886 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $35,742. That is a strong return on a $11,886 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in visual communications will find it at University Of Missouri Kansas City, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washburn Institute Of Technology earned it the #3 place for visual communications. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $8,880 in tuition and fees. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $11,362 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Washburn Institute Of Technology generally make around $39,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Minneapolis Community And Technical College one of the best values for visual communications. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,601 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $40,230. Set against $18,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the visual communications program here. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $37,508. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
ADBLOCK #101
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #6 for value in visual communications this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,477 to complete the visual communications program here. Visual Communications graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $33,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,477 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Iowa State University earned the #7 position for value in visual communications this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $27,000. Early-career visual communications graduates make about $36,634. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #8 for value in visual communications this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for visual communications graduates is $25,260. Visual Communications graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #9 for value in visual communications this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. 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.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis landed the #10 spot for visual communications value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,166. Visual Communications graduates carry a median of $24,621 in student loans. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $39,623. Set against $24,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
[Visual Communications](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/visual-communications/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong visual communications education at a price that pays off.
