by our College Data Analytics Team
[Digital Arts](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/general-visual-performing-arts/digital-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 42 schools to find the best return on investment for digital arts students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in digital arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Washtenaw Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value digital arts schools in the Great Lakes Region. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $17,616 in student loans. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $45,332. Set against $17,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned it the #2 place for digital arts. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,485 to complete the digital arts program here. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clark State Community College earned it the #3 place for digital arts. Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,393, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Students borrow a median of $20,740 to complete the digital arts program here. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $39,734. Set against $20,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned it the #4 place for digital arts. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the digital arts program here. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $28,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kent State University At Tuscarawas earned it the #5 place for digital arts. Set in the town of New Philadelphia, Kent State University At Tuscarawas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,211 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,969. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $23,569 in student loans. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from Kent State University At Tuscarawas generally make around $36,464. That is a strong return on a $23,569 median debt.
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Central Michigan University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value digital arts schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $27,857. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #7 position for value in digital arts this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $25,787 in student loans. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $34,346. Set against $25,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #8 among the best values for digital arts. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Menomonie. In-state tuition and fees average $10,701, with out-of-state students paying around $19,265. Students borrow a median of $29,350 to complete the digital arts program here. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $54,235. Set against $29,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value digital arts schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the digital arts program here. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value digital arts schools. University Of Saint Francis Fort Wayne is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $36,460. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $27,684. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University earned the #11 position for value in digital arts this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for digital arts. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the digital arts program here. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $18,819. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Elmhurst College came in at #13 for value in digital arts this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Typical student debt for digital arts graduates is $22,400. Early-career digital arts graduates make about $51,232. Set against $22,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Greenville College placed #14 among the best values for digital arts. Located in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,200. Students borrow a median of $25,933 to complete the digital arts program here. Digital Arts graduates of Greenville College earn a median of $36,911 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,933 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value digital arts schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Digital Arts graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, digital arts degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
