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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Visual Communications Schools in the Great Lakes Region

16 Colleges in the United States
933 Visual Communications Degrees Awarded
$40,615 Avg Early-Career Salary

Visual Communications is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their visual communications programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools to find the best for visual communications students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Visual Communications in the Great Lakes Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the visual communications degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Visual Communications

1

Leading the list is University Of Notre Dame, our #1 school for visual communications. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 visual communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $46,825. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250. Get the full visual communications details for University Of Notre Dame

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in visual communications, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 visual communications students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual communications degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $44,602 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual communications from Purdue University Main Campus

3

Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual communications, ranking #3. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 16 visual communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual communications program make about $45,176 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,100 in student loans. See the full visual communications program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

4

University Of Dayton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in visual communications, ranking #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 visual communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual communications degree from University Of Dayton earn around $43,609 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual communications program at University Of Dayton

5

Students looking for a strong visual communications program will find one at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, which ranked #5. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 68 visual communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $52,526. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,851 in student loans. Get the full visual communications details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

6

Loyola University Chicago earned the #6 position for visual communications this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 11 visual communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their visual communications degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. See the full visual communications program report for Loyola University Chicago

7

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #7 position for visual communications this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. About 35 visual communications degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual communications degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $26,421 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,064 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual communications program at Indiana University Bloomington

8

Northwestern University placed #8 among the best visual communications schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 visual communications students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual communications program make about $78,551 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. Get the full visual communications details for Northwestern University

9

Ball State University came in at #9 for visual communications this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 visual communications students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $36,864. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the visual communications program at Ball State University

10

Kent State University At Kent ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best visual communications schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 93 visual communications degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $36,351. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full visual communications details for Kent State University At Kent

11

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #11 for visual communications this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 visual communications students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual communications program make about $35,645 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in visual communications from Bowling Green State University Main Campus

12
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage placed #12 among the best visual communications schools. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. College Of Dupage awarded about 57 visual communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $31,798. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $11,077 in student loans. See the full visual communications program report for College Of Dupage

13
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #13 among the best visual communications schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Elmhurst College graduates 70% of students within six years. About 15 visual communications degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Visual Communications graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $51,232 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,400. Get the full visual communications details for Elmhurst College

14

University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earned the #14 position for visual communications this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay graduates 53% of students within six years. About 23 visual communications degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Green Bay in the most recent year. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Green Bay earn a median of $32,991 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,186. Read more about the visual communications program at University Of Wisconsin Green Bay

15

Western Technical College La Cross ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best visual communications schools. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. Western Technical College La Cross awarded about 14 visual communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the visual communications program make about $23,032 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,057 to complete this degree. See the full visual communications program report for Western Technical College La Cross

16

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #16 position for visual communications this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 34 visual communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Visual Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. See the full visual communications program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

17

Sauk Valley Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best visual communications schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Dixon. About 17 visual communications degrees were awarded at Sauk Valley Community College in the most recent year. Visual Communications graduates of Sauk Valley Community College earn a median of $48,855 early in their careers. Sauk Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $12,811 in student loans. More information about a degree in visual communications from Sauk Valley Community College

18

Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #18 spot for visual communications this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 16 visual communications students who graduated with this degree at Cuyahoga Community College District in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, visual communications degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $22,517. Cuyahoga Community College District graduates carry a median of $11,795 in student loans. See the full visual communications program report for Cuyahoga Community College District

19

Columbus State Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best visual communications schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. There were roughly 127 visual communications students who graduated with this degree at Columbus State Community College in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete this degree. See the full visual communications program report for Columbus State Community College

20
Ivy Tech Community College crest
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College came in at #20 for visual communications this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. About 212 visual communications degrees were awarded at Ivy Tech Community College in the most recent year. Visual Communications graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $26,602 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,710. Get the full visual communications details for Ivy Tech Community College

21
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College earned the #21 position for visual communications this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. About 17 visual communications degrees were awarded at Triton College in the most recent year. Students who receive their visual communications degree from Triton College earn around $43,278 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete this degree. Get the full visual communications details for Triton College

22

Art Academy Of Cincinnati placed #22 among the best visual communications schools. Art Academy Of Cincinnati is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 41% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 visual communications students who graduated with this degree at Art Academy Of Cincinnati in the most recent data year. Visual Communications graduates of Art Academy Of Cincinnati earn a median of $20,921 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in visual communications from Art Academy Of Cincinnati

Narrow Visual Communications Schools by State

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 55 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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