Best colleges for Graphic Communications in Illinois
Ranked by graduate earnings
Columbia College Chicago, Bradley University and DePaul University are the top bachelor's Graphic Communications programs in Illinois by graduate earnings. Columbia College Chicago leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $26,309, College Scorecard. DePaul University, Columbia College Chicago and Bradley University award the most Graphic Communications degrees in Illinois: 132, 76 and 22 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 22 Illinois colleges offer Graphic Communications and award 459 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Graphic Communications program focuses on the principles and practices of graphic design and visual communication. It is designed for individuals interested in transforming ideas and messages into visual formats, whether through print…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,309 | 76 | 52% | $28,087 | $25,000 |
| 2 | Bradley University Peoria Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,941 | 22 | 76% | $21,768 | $27,000 |
| 3 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $19,178 | 132 | 68% | $28,141 | $25,864 |
Colleges awarding the most Graphic Communications degrees in Illinois
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DePaul University Chicago Private not-for-profit | 132 | $19,178 |
| 2 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago Private not-for-profit | 76 | $26,309 |
| 3 | Bradley University Peoria Private not-for-profit | 22 | $24,941 |
| 4 | William Rainey Harper College Palatine Public | 22 | Not reported |
| 5 | Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 6 | Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 7 | Lake Land College Mattoon Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 8 | Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills Public | 13 | Not reported |
| 9 | Illinois State University Normal Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 10 | North Central College Naperville Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 12 Illinois colleges offering Graphic Communications
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College | Chicago | Public | 38 |
| Joliet Junior College | Joliet | Public | 33 |
| College of DuPage | Glen Ellyn | Public | 30 |
| College of Lake County | Grayslake | Public | 5 |
| Rock Valley College | Rockford | Public | 5 |
| Elmhurst University | Elmhurst | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| McHenry County College | Crystal Lake | Public | 4 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College | Chicago | Public | 3 |
| Oakton College | Des Plaines | Public | 2 |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin | Public | 1 |
| Illinois Central College | East Peoria | Public | 1 |
| Prairie State College | Chicago Heights | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Printing Press Operators (SOC 51-5112).
Top skills
What Printing Press Operators earn in Illinois
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Graphic Communications programs in Illinois.
Which Illinois colleges award the most Graphic Communications degrees?+
DePaul University (132 graduates a year), Columbia College Chicago (76 graduates a year) and Bradley University (22 graduates a year) award the most Graphic Communications degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 22 Illinois colleges offer Graphic Communications.
What is the best college for Graphic Communications in Illinois?+
By graduate earnings, Columbia College Chicago leads among bachelor's Graphic Communications programs in Illinois, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $26,309, College Scorecard. Bradley University and DePaul University follow. By degrees awarded, DePaul University is the largest, with 132 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Graphic Communications program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Columbia College Chicago tops the list at $26,309. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Printing Press Operators earn in Illinois?+
The average annual wage for Printing Press Operators in Illinois is $48,590 (median $46,260), across about 9,550 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Graphic Communications program?+
The Graphic Communications program focuses on the principles and practices of graphic design and visual communication. It is designed for individuals interested in transforming ideas and messages into visual formats, whether through print…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop monitoring, active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Printing Press Operators?+
The national job outlook is about -8.1% growth with around 13,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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