Best institutions to study Design and Visual Communications
A program in the applied visual arts that focuses on the general principles and techniques for effectively communicating ideas and information, and packaging products, in digital and other formats to business and consumer audiences, and that may prepare individuals in any of the applied art media.
249 U.S. institutions graduated 6,709 Design and Visual Communications students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0401, a specialization of Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04), and leads most directly to the Graphic Designers occupation (BLS SOC 27-1024).
About Design and Visual Communications programs
A program in the applied visual arts that focuses on the general principles and techniques for effectively communicating ideas and information, and packaging products, in digital and other formats to business and consumer audiences, and that may prepare individuals in any of the applied art media.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Design and Visual Communications program, part of the Design and Applied Arts field, focuses on the principles and techniques for effectively communicating ideas and information through various visual media. This program is ideal for individuals interested in pursuing careers in applied visual arts, where creativity and technical skills intersect.
Students in this program acquire essential skills in design, critical thinking, and communication. Coursework typically covers topics such as layout principles, graphic design, and digital media, enabling students to create compelling visual content for diverse audiences.
Credentials awarded
What Design and Visual Communications graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree3,061 graduates / yr · 133 institutions46%
- Associate's degree1,321 graduates / yr · 67 institutions20%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,076 graduates / yr · 52 institutions16%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years684 graduates / yr · 31 institutions10%
- Master's degree378 graduates / yr · 29 institutions5.6%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years92 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.4%
- Award of less than 12 weeks74 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.1%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate20 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Design and Visual Communications completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6,735 |
| 2013 | 6,534 |
| 2014 | 6,239 |
| 2015 | 5,588 |
| 2016 | 5,379 |
| 2017 | 5,359 |
| 2018 | 5,322 |
| 2019 | 5,385 |
| 2020 | 5,596 |
| 2021 | 5,692 |
| 2022 | 5,929 |
| 2023 | 5,508 |
| 2024 | 6,067 |
| 2025 | 6,709 |
Top 50 institutions for Design and Visual Communications, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 1,008 | 45% | — | $31,888 |
| 2 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 277 | 86% | — | $32,816 |
| 3 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 239 | 40% | — | $26,602 |
| 4 | Full Sail University Winter Park, FLPrivate for-profitMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sAssociate's | 175 | 44% | $32,163 | $25,479 |
| 5 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 167 | 38% | — | — |
| 6 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 134 | 32% | — | $31,478 |
| 7 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 128 | 65% | $28,911 | $30,019 |
| 8 | Columbus State Community College Columbus, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 118 | 28% | — | — |
| 9 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 98 | 55% | — | $44,396 |
| 10 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 94 | 20% | — | $40,289 |
| 11 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 93 | 64% | — | $36,351 |
| 12 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert. | 87 | 69% | — | $37,508 |
| 13 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor's | 79 | 50% | — | $34,845 |
| 14 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 79 | 20% | — | $40,230 |
| 15 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 74 | 61% | — | $33,867 |
| 16 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor's | 72 | 75% | — | $52,526 |
| 17 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 71 | 89% | — | $44,506 |
| 18 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor's | 70 | 21% | — | $21,445 |
| 19 | Miami Ad School - New York Astoria, NYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 69 | — | — | — |
| 20 | Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 66 | 49% | — | — |
| 21 | Augusta Technical College Augusta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 64 | 31% | — | — |
| 22 | SUNY Adirondack Queensbury, NYPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 59 | 37% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 56 | 75% | — | $37,755 |
| 24 | San Antonio College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 55 | 26% | — | — |
| 25 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 54 | 94% | $14,126 | $33,615 |
| 26 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NYPublicBachelor's | 50 | 53% | — | $27,827 |
| 27 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 48 | 82% | — | $46,585 |
| 28 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor's | 47 | 65% | — | $39,847 |
| 29 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 45 | 64% | — | $35,645 |
| 30 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 45 | 46% | — | $23,345 |
| 31 | Shoreline College Shoreline, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeksAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 44 | 29% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 43 | 92% | $26,873 | $64,846 |
| 33 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor's | 42 | 58% | — | $33,695 |
| 34 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor's | 42 | 84% | — | $32,397 |
| 35 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 41 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 36 | Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 41 | 47% | — | — |
| 37 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 40 | 60% | — | $31,083 |
| 38 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 40 | 18% | — | $26,285 |
| 39 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 38 | 48% | — | $34,930 |
| 40 | Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 38 | 61% | $35,483 | $20,360 |
| 41 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 38 | 94% | $23,803 | $66,274 |
| 42 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 37 | 70% | $37,121 | $32,070 |
| 43 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor's | 37 | 65% | — | — |
| 44 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VAPublicAssociate's | 37 | 32% | — | $22,935 |
| 45 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor's | 35 | 61% | — | $33,964 |
| 46 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 25% | — | $31,463 |
| 47 | Harford Community College Bel Air, MDPublicAssociate's | 35 | 39% | — | — |
| 48 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 35 | 85% | — | $44,930 |
| 49 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 33% | — | $33,232 |
| 50 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor's | 35 | 65% | — | $31,078 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Design and Applied Arts field (CIP 50.04) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 45 states & territories
Where Design and Visual Communications graduates come from. Each state links to all Design and Applied Arts programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-1024, Graphic Designers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Design and Visual Communications program can pursue careers as graphic designers, web and digital interface designers, and more. The job outlook in this field is about as fast as average, with an estimated 20,000 annual openings and a median wage of $61,300, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0401
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Graphic Designersprimary SOC 27-1024 | $62,960 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~20,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Web and Digital Interface Designers SOC 15-1255 | $104,000 | +7.0% Faster than average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Commercial and Industrial Designers SOC 27-1021 | $83,910 | +3.2% About as fast as average | ~2,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Set and Exhibit Designers SOC 27-1027 | $75,240 | +2.3% About as fast as average | ~2,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Designers, All Other SOC 27-1029 | $64,950 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~2,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Design and Visual Communications programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
- Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
- Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
- Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
- Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
- Use computer software to generate new images.
Tools and technology used
Other Design and Applied Arts specializations
The 9 other 6-digit CIP codes under Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04).
- Graphic DesignCIP 50.040910,754 graduates / yr580 institutions
- Interior DesignCIP 50.04085,774 graduates / yr231 institutions
- Fashion/CIP 50.0407
Apparel Design 3,243 graduates / yr119 institutions - IllustrationCIP 50.04103,166 graduates / yr68 institutions
- Commercial and Advertising ArtCIP 50.04023,097 graduates / yr161 institutions
- Game and Interactive Media DesignCIP 50.04112,954 graduates / yr152 institutions
- Design and Applied ArtsCIP 50.04991,720 graduates / yr77 institutions
- Industrial and Product DesignCIP 50.04041,432 graduates / yr64 institutions
- Commercial PhotographyCIP 50.0406766 graduates / yr60 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or various awards ranging from 12 weeks to 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, design, and communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a graphic designer, web designer, or in other related fields.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 20,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Design and Visual Communications?+
Design and Visual Communications is CIP 50.0401 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Design and Applied Arts (CIP 50.04). NCES defines it as: A program in the applied visual arts that focuses on the general principles and techniques for effectively communicating ideas and information, and packaging products, in digital and other formats to business and consumer audiences, and that may prepare individuals in any of the applied art media.
How many institutions offer Design and Visual Communications programs?+
249 U.S. institutions reported Design and Visual Communications graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 45 states & territories, awarding 6,709 credentials in the year. That is 16.9% of all Design and Applied Arts graduates.
How much do Design and Visual Communications graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Graphic Designers occupation, which Design and Visual Communications most directly leads to, pays a median of $62,960 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Design and Applied Arts field report median earnings of $33,867 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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