Virginia Graphic Design Schools: Most Expensive to Least Expensive

According to the most recent Institute of Education Sciences (IES) report (July 2012), the State of Virginia is now home to 129 Title IV degree-granting institutions. The Old Dominion state is one of only 16 states with 100+ colleges. Virginia’s large collection of colleges offers more than quantity. The quality of education is ranked among the best.

Organizations such as Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, and Forbes select the best of the best each year, and many Virginia schools are high on the list. Schools such as the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and George Mason University are just a few that made the cut.

Many top schools are private, so the price tag for attendance can be hefty. Fortunately, all of the state’s top schools are Title IV, so they are eligible for federal financial aid programs. This means, even the most expensive schools are accessible to students with financial need.

To become a Title IV school, the institution must meet five requirements established by the U.S. Department of Education. The school must (1) sign a participation agreement with the Department, (2) grant an associate's degree or higher, (3) offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length, (4) be in business for at least 2 years, and (5) have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Continue reading to find out which Virginia schools offer top-tier programs for aspiring graphic designers and what you can expect to pay. Please note that in-state tuition is typically lower than out-of-state tuition. In many cases, all it takes is one year of documented residency and the intent to remain in the state to become eligible for resident tuition rates.

Most Expensive Virginia Graphic Design Schools

Lynchburg College, Lynchburg - Tuition Information: Undergraduate $31,060 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $1,065 per year.

Emory & Henry College, Emory - Tuition Information: Undergraduate $28,122 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.

Mary Baldwin College, Staunton - Tuition Information: Undergraduate $28,020 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.

Marymount University, Arlington – Tuition Information: Undergraduate $24,900 for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Tuition does not include fees of $698 per year.

Virginia Intermont College, Bristol - Tuition Information: Undergraduate $24,542 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.

Bluefield College, Bluefield - Tuition Information: Undergraduate $21,060 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.

Liberty University, Lynchburg - Tuition Information: Undergraduate $18,562 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $1,406 per year.

Hampton University, Hampton – Tuition Information: Undergraduate $17,732 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.  Tuition does not include fees of $2,006 per year.

Least Expensive Virginia Graphic Design Schools

George Mason University, Fairfax - Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $9,420, nonresidents $27,564; graduate residents $11,490, nonresidents $27,420 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg - Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $9,187, nonresidents $23,575; graduate residents $14,238, nonresidents $27,900 for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Tuition does not include resident fees of $1,736 or nonresident fees of $2,340 per year.

James Madison University, Harrisonburg - Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $8,808, nonresidents $22,796 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond - Tuition Information:  Undergraduate residents $7,860, nonresidents $21,275; graduate residents $9,530, nonresidents $19,594 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.  Tuition does not include undergraduate resident fees of $2,025, undergraduate nonresident fees of $2,637, graduate resident fees of $2,091 or graduate nonresident fees of $2,603 per year.

Old Dominion University, Norfolk - Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $6,552, nonresidents $18,546 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.

Norfolk State University, Norfolk - Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $6,152, nonresidents $16,952 for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Mandatory fees are included in tuition.

Radford University, Radford - Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $5,702, nonresidents $16,826 for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Tuition does not include resident fees of $2,888 or nonresident fees of $3,334 per year.

Virginia State University, Petersburg - Tuition Information: Undergraduate residents $4,406, nonresidents $12,774 for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Tuition does not include resident fees of $2,684 or nonresident fees of $3,214 per year.

Virginia Graphic Design Scene

Virginia is home to 49,990 salaried artists and designers. According to the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (March 27, 2012), 5,280 are graphic designers. This talented group averages $53,950 per year, up from $38,430 in 2002. Individual salaries may be more or less than average based on a variety of factors such as company,  experience, job title, location, education and, and more.

Advertising and web design are the most coveted fields for graphic designers, but employment opportunities are also plentiful in publishing, printing, production, public relations, technology, and even education. Just a few employment options include Ackerman McQueen (AM), Costa+Designs, ImageWorks, LM&O Advertising, Sisson Creative Marketing and Design, New Millennium Studios, Studio Kinate, and The Martin Agency.

Virginia is home to 8,096,604 (Census Bureau, 2011) residents. Nearly 2 million live in major cities such as Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Arlington, Richmond, and Newport News. These principal cities have the liveliest art scenes and some of the best job opportunities can be found here. For example, the Virginia Film Office is located in Richmond along with the renowned Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The Chrysler Museum of Art is located in Norfolk, while the famed Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is located where else—Virginia Beach!