Graphic Communications
Offered at 471 college programs that reported results. Here is what graduates earn and owe at each credential level, and which programs pay best.
By credential level
| Credential | Programs | Typical earnings, 1 yr | Typical earnings, 5 yrs | Typical debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 170 | $27,666 | $44,760 | $11,250 |
| Associate | 160 | $27,462 | $38,603 | $11,565 |
| Bachelor's | 119 | $28,397 | $46,567 | $26,000 |
| Master's | 21 | $51,760 | $67,902 | — |
| Graduate certificate | 1 | — | — | — |
"Typical" is the median across programs of each program's median, counting only programs with unsuppressed data (at least three). It describes a typical program, not a national median for all graduates. Certificate figures include certificates earned at four-year colleges, often alongside a bachelor's; see degrees vs. certificates for a cleaner comparison. Source: College Scorecard field of study data.
One year after finishing, a typical certificate program in this field reports median earnings of $27,666, versus $28,397 for a typical bachelor's program.
Highest-earning certificate programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus State Community College | OH | $37,621 | $53,192 | $11,250 |
| 2 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | WI | — | $48,460 | — |
| 3 | Manatee Technical College | FL | — | $45,076 | — |
| 4 | Tarrant County College District | TX | — | $44,445 | — |
| 5 | Front Range Community College | CO | $27,666 | $41,911 | $14,833 |
| 6 | Lewis and Clark Community College | IL | — | $32,572 | — |
| 7 | West Kentucky Community and Technical College | KY | $22,026 | — | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning associate programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salt Lake Community College | UT | $27,432 | $51,644 | $9,270 |
| 2 | Columbus State Community College | OH | $34,332 | $46,554 | $11,500 |
| 3 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | WA | $28,516 | $46,391 | — |
| 4 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | WI | $41,649 | $43,952 | — |
| 5 | South Central College | MN | $33,606 | $43,720 | — |
| 6 | York County Community College | ME | — | $43,415 | — |
| 7 | Central Maine Community College | ME | — | $42,984 | — |
| 8 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology | PA | $38,071 | $40,992 | $11,565 |
| 9 | Middlesex College | NJ | $27,462 | $40,632 | $8,959 |
| 10 | Kirkwood Community College | IA | — | $39,902 | — |
| 11 | Laurus College | CA | — | $38,674 | — |
| 12 | Front Range Community College | CO | $29,692 | $38,603 | $16,375 |
| 13 | Whatcom Community College | WA | — | $38,294 | — |
| 14 | Southeast Technical College | SD | $36,470 | $38,073 | $12,000 |
| 15 | Houston City College | TX | $19,437 | $38,052 | $19,938 |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning bachelor's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ringling College of Art and Design | FL | $47,561 | $93,383 | $27,000 |
| 2 | Art Center College of Design | CA | $48,298 | $92,786 | $29,875 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | CA | $52,902 | $88,294 | $17,000 |
| 4 | Rochester Institute of Technology | NY | $33,520 | $82,887 | $27,000 |
| 5 | Brigham Young University | UT | $36,018 | $73,763 | — |
| 6 | Roger Williams University | RI | $41,370 | $69,262 | — |
| 7 | Illinois State University | IL | $48,805 | $67,898 | $17,500 |
| 8 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | NJ | $35,260 | $64,095 | $18,250 |
| 9 | University of Minnesota-Duluth | MN | $45,291 | $63,907 | $23,250 |
| 10 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | AZ | $39,793 | $63,684 | $19,500 |
| 11 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion | AZ | $39,793 | $63,684 | $19,500 |
| 12 | DigiPen Institute of Technology | WA | $45,096 | $62,378 | $27,000 |
| 13 | University of Maryland Global Campus | MD | $42,774 | $57,481 | $26,250 |
| 14 | University of Wisconsin-Stout | WI | $42,668 | $56,909 | $23,375 |
| 15 | Academy of Art University | CA | $30,612 | $55,269 | $35,893 |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning master's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Methodist University | TX | $72,642 | $98,988 | — |
| 2 | DePaul University | IL | $52,720 | $75,275 | — |
| 3 | Academy of Art University | CA | $51,760 | $60,529 | — |
| 4 | Savannah College of Art and Design | GA | $40,209 | $50,007 | — |
| 5 | Atlantic University | PR | $20,529 | — | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning graduate certificate programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Methodist University | TX | $72,096 | $95,540 | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Related fields
Quick answers
- How much do graphic communications graduates earn?
- One year after finishing, a typical bachelor's program in graphic communications reports median earnings of $28,397. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field of study data.
