Best colleges for Graphic Communications
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Graphic Communications by graduate earnings are Art Center College of Design ($67,010), California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($49,029) and Ringling College of Art and Design ($44,048), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Art Center College of Design (Pasadena, CA): $67,010, 116 graduates a year
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $49,029, 81 graduates a year
- Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota, FL): $44,048, 132 graduates a year
- Brigham Young University (Provo, UT): $38,725, 25 graduates a year
- Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH): $38,489, 32 graduates a year
Compare 347 U.S. colleges offering Graphic Communications by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 41 states.
Graphic Communications programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,843 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 10.03 and the Printing Press Operators occupation (BLS SOC).
About Graphic Communications programs
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 or digital media. This program caters to aspiring graphic designers, printing managers, and those seeking to enter various specialized fields within graphic communications.
Students in the Graphic Communications program will develop essential skills in areas such as monitoring, active listening, and critical thinking. Coursework covers mechanical knowledge, production processes, and the use of computers and electronics, equipping students to handle tasks related to printing and design effectively.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Art Center College of Design Pasadena, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $67,010 | 116 | 79% | $48,578 | $35,593 |
| 2 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,029 | 81 | 86% | — | $17,961 |
| 3 | Ringling College of Art and Design Sarasota, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,048 | 132 | 72% | $54,693 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,725 | 25 | 81% | $13,712 | — |
| 5 | Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,489 | 32 | 64% | — | $26,981 |
| 6 | DigiPen Institute of Technology Redmond, WA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,605 | 68 | 61% | $39,863 | $27,000 |
| 7 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,557 | 24 | 65% | — | $24,500 |
| 8 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $32,044 | 34 | 70% | $28,133 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $31,790 | 26 | 78% | $36,004 | — |
| 10 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,795 | 42 | 37% | — | — |
| 11 | Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,270 | 28 | 57% | — | $25,500 |
| 12 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,059 | 67 | 47% | — | $27,000 |
| 13 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,305 | 81 | 68% | — | $18,964 |
| 14 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $29,192 | 79 | 68% | — | $23,000 |
| 15 | Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,874 | 37 | 45% | — | $12,500 |
| 16 | Academy of Art University San Francisco, CA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $27,481 | 172 | 34% | $40,294 | $36,717 |
| 17 | California College of the Arts San Francisco, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,481 | 60 | 61% | $40,041 | $27,000 |
| 18 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $26,309 | 76 | 52% | $28,087 | $25,000 |
| 19 | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,358 | 140 | 75% | — | $20,714 |
| 20 | Bradley University Peoria, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,941 | 22 | 76% | $21,768 | $27,000 |
| 21 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design Minneapolis, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $24,427 | 35 | 51% | $24,998 | $27,000 |
| 22 | New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NM Public · Bachelor's degree | $24,115 | 42 | 55% | — | $22,500 |
| 23 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,451 | 858 | 69% | $44,902 | $26,748 |
| 24 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design Lakewood, CO Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $23,247 | 64 | 32% | $28,500 | $32,982 |
| 25 | School of Visual Arts New York, NY Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $22,478 | 116 | 76% | $58,518 | $27,000 |
Top 8 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MO Public · Associate degree | $26,436 | 31 | 33% | — | $19,500 |
| 2 | Front Range Community College Westminster, CO Public · Certificate | $25,702 | 129 | 35% | — | $11,250 |
| 3 | Middlesex College Edison, NJ Public · Associate degree | $20,483 | 67 | 33% | — | $8,525 |
| 4 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PA Public · Associate degree Small program | $26,870 | 17 | 71% | — | $8,625 |
| 5 | Pikes Peak State College Colorado Springs, CO Public · Associate degree | $25,596 | 65 | 21% | — | — |
| 6 | Salt Lake Community College Salt Lake City, UT Public · Associate degree | $23,932 | 93 | 29% | — | $11,375 |
| 7 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NY Public · Associate degree | $23,319 | 86 | 25% | — | — |
| 8 | Orange County Community College Middletown, NY Public · Associate degree Small program | $22,181 | 17 | 25% | — | — |
Specializations within Graphic Communications
9 of the 9 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 10.03 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special EffectsCIP 10.03046,849 graduates / yr250 institutions40 states
- Prepress/CIP 10.0303
Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design 1,335 graduates / yr83 institutions18 states - Graphic CommunicationsCIP 10.0301455 graduates / yr29 institutions16 states
- Graphic and Printing Equipment OperatorCIP 10.0305252 graduates / yr19 institutions13 states
- Graphic CommunicationsCIP 10.0399170 graduates / yr10 institutions6 states
- Printing ManagementCIP 10.0302partial data56 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states
- Printing Press OperatorCIP 10.0307limited data9 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
- Platemaker/CIP 10.0306
Imager limited data7 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states - Computer Typography and Composition Equipment OperatorCIP 10.0308limited data7 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Offered across 41 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-5112, Printing Press Operators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Graphic Communications program can pursue careers in various sectors, including graphic design and printing management. Although the job outlook indicates a decline of 8.1%, there are still approximately 13,700 annual openings, with a median wage of $45,160. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Graphic Communications
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 10.03.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 10.03 (Graphic Communications) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 27-1014 | Special Effects Artists and Animators |
| 43-9021 | Data Entry Keyers |
| 43-9031 | Desktop Publishers |
| 51-5111 | Prepress Technicians and Workers |
| 51-5112 | Printing Press Operatorsprimary |
| 51-9194 | Etchers and Engravers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Graphic Communications programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
- Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
- Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
- Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
- Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
- Feed paper through press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls.
Common questions
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What specializations are available?+
Specializations include Printing Management, Prepress/Desktop Publishing, Animation, and more.
What is the job outlook for graphic communications?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 8.1%, but there are still about 13,700 annual openings.
What education is needed for careers in this field?+
Typically, a high school diploma or equivalent is required for entry-level positions.
How much do Graphic Communications graduates earn?+
Graphic Communications graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $24,843, College Scorecard (2019); the Printing Press Operators occupation pays about $47,360 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Graphic Communications?+
Graphic Communications maps to CIP 10.03 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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