Student Loans for Graphic Design School: Best Lenders of 2025

If you're a creative type with a passion for visual storytelling, a degree in graphic design may be a perfect fit. Annual tuition and fees for graphic design school vary widely, ranging from $11,610 at an in-state public school to $43,350 at a private college, according to the College Board.

To cover these costs, you may turn to student loans. Some of the best student loans for graphic design students include loans from:

• The Department of Education: Best for federal student loans with low-fixed interest rates and no credit check.
• Sallie Mae: Best for covering a wide range of programs, including certain trade schools and certificate programs.
• College Ave: Best for competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options.

Here's a closer look at the top student loans for graphic design school, as well as other ways to pay, such as scholarships and grants.

Current private student loan rates

Is my graphic design school eligible for student loans?

If you're attending an accredited graphic design school, you can take out federal student loans.

“There are many design schools — or colleges and universities that offer design programs — that participate in federal financial aid programs,” says Cathy Mueller, executive director of Mapping Your Future, a nonprofit that provides financial aid, college, and career services.

To confirm your school's eligibility, use the Department of Education's accreditation search tool.

The downside of federal loans is that they come with borrowing limits. If you need additional funding, a private student loan could fill the gap.

Most private lenders allow you to borrow if you're attending an accredited school. Some also cover trade schools or certificate programs. However, private loans have credit score and income requirements. If you don't qualify on your own (most undergraduate students don't), you may need to apply with a cosigner, such as a parent.

Best private student loans for graphic design school

Why you can trust our Credible experts

The Credible editorial team is independent and unbiased. Partners do not influence our editorial content. To help you find the best student loan for your situation, we conduct thorough research and analyze thousands of lender data points. Using data-driven methodologies, we score criteria that are important to you. This allows us to objectively rank student loan lenders and products. To learn more, read our methodology below.

Methodology

To determine the best student loan lenders for graphic design school, Credible collected more than 1,000 points of data on two dozen companies and evaluated them on several different categories: repayment options, eligibility, interest rates, loan terms, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings. Below are the weightings assigned to the general categories for the best student loan companies — which comprise individual criteria that are also weighted.

• Repayment options: 30%
• Eligibility: 25%
• Interest rates: 20%
• Loan terms: 15%
• Customer support: 10%

While the best lender for you will depend on your unique needs and financial circumstances, these findings should help answer your questions and assist you in your search for the best student loan.

Learn more about our methodology.

Federal student loans for graphic design school

If your school qualifies for federal student aid, it's a good idea to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it becomes available, usually on Oct. 1 of each year.

“Typically, we recommend students consider federal loans first because they offer the best repayment options and, in some cases, loan forgiveness options,” says Mueller.

Filing the FAFSA will give you access to various types of aid, such as:

• Direct Subsidized Loans: These loans are available to undergraduates with financial need. They don't collect interest until your six-month grace period is over.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: These loans are open to undergraduate and graduate students. They don't have an interest subsidy and start accruing interest from the disbursement date.
• Direct PLUS Loans: If you're a parent of an undergraduate or graduate student, you could borrow a PLUS loan to pay for school. These loans have virtually no borrowing limits but have higher interest rates and fees than other federal loan types.
• Pell Grants: Undergraduate students with exceptional financial need may qualify for a Pell Grant up to $7,395 for the 2025-26 school year. Unlike student loans, you don't have to pay back a grant.
• Work-study: If you have financial need, you may qualify for a work-study job on- or off-campus.

What credit score do I need for a graphic design school loan?

Federal student loans don't require a credit check, so your credit score won't affect your eligibility. But private lenders do consider your credit history.

You'll typically need a FICO score of at least 670 to qualify for a private student loan. Some lenders may accept lower scores, but requirements vary.

The higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate is likely to be. The chart below shows prequalified rates by credit score based on borrowers who used the Credible marketplace to shop for lenders.

Scholarships for graphic design school

Student loans aren't your only option for paying for graphic design school. Scholarships and grants can help reduce how much you need to borrow. Here are a few options for graphic design students:

• School-based scholarships and grants: Many graphic design schools offer financial assistance to students with financial need or impressive portfolios. To be considered for school-specific financial aid, you'll need to submit the FAFSA.
• Private scholarships from design associations and nonprofit organizations: Use scholarship search engines, like Fastweb and College Board, to find outside funding opportunities. For example, Adobe Design's Circle Scholarships offer $25,000 per year to students pursuing careers in UX, UI, or product design. You can also find scholarships from professional design associations like AIGA and the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation.

Cost of graphic design school

Graphic design program costs vary widely depending on the type of school. According to the College Board, the average annual cost is:

Keep in mind, those prices only represent tuition and fees. You'll also have to pay for room, board, supplies, and other living costs. Some additional costs could include:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: $20 to $80 per month
• High-performance computer: Up to $2,000
• Graphics tablet: $100 to $500 or more
• Studio fees and art supplies: Varies by program

Salary outlook for graphic designers

The median salary for a graphic designer in 2024 was $61,300 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the earning potential in related roles is even higher:

• Web developers and digital designers: $95,380
• Web and digital interface designers: $108,820
• Art directors: $111,040
• Special effects artists and animators: $99,800

While these numbers represent the average, your graphic design degree salary could vary depending on several factors, including your location, years of experience, and niche. You'll likely earn less as an entry-level designer than you would as a director or manager.

“It really comes down to return on investment,” says Robert Farrington, student debt expert and founder of The College Investor.

“Like any loan, you only want to borrow the least amount needed to start earning. If you borrow too much, and then don't earn a high enough salary, it will be a struggle financially.”

Smart strategies for borrowing wisely

Student loans can be a useful financing tool, but too much debt can be overwhelming. One general guideline is to borrow no more than you expect to earn in your first year after graduating.

Here are some other tips for borrowing wisely:

• Estimate your earning potential and set borrowing limits: Consider your career plans after graduation and how much you expect to earn. If your projected income is $60,000, you may want to limit your borrowing to $60,000 or less.
• Maximize free financial aid before turning to loans: Apply widely to grants and scholarships, and consider taking on a work-study position or part-time job to earn money. Getting as much gift aid as possible can reduce the amount you have to borrow in student loans.
• Understand loan repayment options before accepting funds: Do your research on the different types of student loans and repayment schedules before you borrow. Estimate your future monthly payments so you have a clear idea of what your bills will look like after you graduate.

“Have a plan for how much you need to borrow and how you plan to repay it,” advises Mueller. “Students should research college costs, the amount they need to borrow, and potential salaries in their career field.”