North Carolina · Graphic Communications

Best colleges for Graphic Communications in North Carolina

Ranked by graduate earnings

Appalachian State University, Forsyth Technical Community College and Western Piedmont Community College award the most Graphic Communications degrees and certificates in North Carolina: 16, 11 and 6 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 North Carolina colleges offer Graphic Communications and award 41 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…

Institutions
6
offering CIP 10.03
States offered
41
with a program page
Degrees / yr
41
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$25,301
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$17,195
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
40%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Printing Press Operators
$45,840
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Chowan University
Murfreesboro Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$25,301230%$17,195—

Colleges awarding the most Graphic Communications degrees in North Carolina

Top 5 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Appalachian State University
Boone Public
16Not reported
2Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem Public
11Not reported
3Western Piedmont Community College
Morganton Public
6Not reported
4Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte Public
2Not reported
5Chowan University
Murfreesboro Private not-for-profit
2$25,301
Show the other 1 North Carolina colleges offering Graphic Communications
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Piedmont Community CollegeRoxboroPublic4

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Printing Press Operators (SOC 51-5112).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-8.1%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~13,700
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$45,160
typically High school diploma or equivalent

Top skills

MonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive Learning

What Printing Press Operators earn in North Carolina

Jobs in North Carolina
3,910
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$45,840
median $45,630
Best-paying metro
$50,070
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Related careers

Printing Press Operators
$45,840 avg · 3,910 jobs
Data Entry Keyers
$41,270 avg · 3,330 jobs
Prepress Technicians and Workers
$51,170 avg · 600 jobs
Special Effects Artists and Animators
$86,020 avg · 370 jobs
Desktop Publishers
$51,410 avg · 80 jobs
Etchers and Engravers
$41,370

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Graphic Communications programs in North Carolina.

Which North Carolina colleges award the most Graphic Communications degrees?+

Appalachian State University (16 graduates a year), Forsyth Technical Community College (11 graduates a year) and Western Piedmont Community College (6 graduates a year) award the most Graphic Communications degrees and certificates in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 North Carolina colleges offer Graphic Communications.

How much do Printing Press Operators earn in North Carolina?+

The average annual wage for Printing Press Operators in North Carolina is $45,840 (median $45,630), across about 3,910 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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