Best institutions to study Graphic Communications
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the manufacture and distribution or transmission of graphic communications products.
29 U.S. institutions graduated 455 Graphic Communications students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 10.0301, a specialization of Graphic Communications (CIP 10.03), and leads most directly to the Prepress Technicians and Workers occupation (BLS SOC 51-5111).
About Graphic Communications programs
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the manufacture and distribution or transmission of graphic communications products. Includes instruction in the prepress, press, and postpress phases of production operations and processes such as offset lithography, flexography, gravure, letterpress, screen printing, foil stamping, digital imaging, and other reproduction methods.
See also: 50.0409 - Graphic Design., 50.0402 - Commercial and Advertising Art.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Graphic Communications program prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills in the production and distribution of graphic communications products. This program is ideal for individuals interested in the various phases of production operations, including prepress, press, and postpress processes. Students will gain hands-on experience with methods such as offset lithography, flexography, and digital imaging. With a focus on both technical and creative aspects, this program caters to those looking to enter the field of communications technologies. Graduates will be equipped to work in a variety of settings, utilizing their skills in graphic design and production to create compelling visual communications.
Students in the Graphic Communications program will develop core skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers essential knowledge areas such as design principles, production processes, and the use of computers and electronics in graphic production.
Credentials awarded
What Graphic Communications graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree214 graduates / yr · 12 institutions47%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years117 graduates / yr · 5 institutions26%
- Associate's degree69 graduates / yr · 8 institutions15%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year49 graduates / yr · 8 institutions11%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
Graduates over time
Graphic Communications completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 888 |
| 2013 | 894 |
| 2014 | 809 |
| 2015 | 893 |
| 2016 | 827 |
| 2017 | 905 |
| 2018 | 805 |
| 2019 | 611 |
| 2020 | 630 |
| 2021 | 573 |
| 2022 | 570 |
| 2023 | 476 |
| 2024 | 545 |
| 2025 | 455 |
Top 29 institutions for Graphic 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 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAPublicBachelor's | 81 | 86% | — | $49,029 |
| 2 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MDPublicBachelor's | 73 | 33% | — | $46,581 |
| 3 | Northeast Technology Center Pryor, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 64 | 97% | — | — |
| 4 | Indian Capital Technology Center - Muskogee Muskogee, OKPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 100% | — | — |
| 5 | Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield, MOPublicAssociate's | 31 | 33% | — | $26,436 |
| 6 | Central Texas College Killeen, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 24 | 11% | — | — |
| 7 | Tarrant County College District Fort Worth, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 19 | 34% | — | — |
| 8 | Central Maine Community College Auburn, MEPublicAssociate's | 17 | 30% | — | — |
| 9 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor's | 16 | 75% | — | — |
| 10 | Southern Nazarene University Bethany, OKPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 51% | $19,619 | — |
| 11 | Danville Community College Danville, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 9 | 39% | — | — |
| 12 | Northwest Vista College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 32% | — | — |
| 13 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 8 | 65% | — | — |
| 14 | Stephens College Columbia, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 43% | $23,198 | — |
| 15 | South Central College North Mankato, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 39% | — | — |
| 16 | Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of less than 12 weeks | 6 | 45% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicBachelor's | 5 | 68% | — | $36,419 |
| 18 | The University of Findlay Findlay, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 58% | $23,128 | — |
| 19 | Bluefield University Bluefield, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 18% | $22,057 | — |
| 20 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 53% | — | — |
| 21 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MIPublicAssociate's | 3 | 47% | — | $30,059 |
| 22 | High Plains Technology Center Woodward, OKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 80% | — | — |
| 23 | Linn - Benton Community College Albany, ORPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 3 | 29% | — | — |
| 24 | City Colleges of Chicago - Kennedy - King College Chicago, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 31% | — | — |
| 25 | North Central Michigan College Petoskey, MIPublicAssociate's | 2 | 29% | — | — |
| 26 | Michigan Career and Technical Institute Plainwell, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 38% | — | $14,862 |
| 27 | Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NCPublicAssociate's | 2 | 31% | — | — |
| 28 | Chowan University Murfreesboro, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 30% | $17,195 | $25,301 |
| 29 | Holy Family University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 61% | $12,163 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Graphic Communications field (CIP 10.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 16 states
Where Graphic Communications graduates come from. Each state links to all Graphic Communications programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 4 | 115 | Northeast Technology Center64 / yr |
| California | 2 | 84 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo81 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 73 | University of Maryland Global Campus73 / yr |
| Texas | 3 | 52 | Central Texas College24 / yr |
| Missouri | 2 | 39 | Ozarks Technical Community College31 / yr |
| North Carolina | 3 | 20 | Appalachian State University16 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 17 | Central Maine Community College17 / yr |
| Virginia | 2 | 13 | Danville Community College9 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 10 | Illinois State University8 / yr |
| Michigan | 3 | 7 | Ferris State University3 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 6 | South Central College6 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 6 | Northcentral Technical College6 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 5 | University of Northern Iowa5 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 4 | The University of Findlay4 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 3 | Linn - Benton Community College3 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 1 | Holy Family University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-5111, Prepress Technicians and Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Graphic Communications program can pursue careers as Prepress Technicians and Workers, among other roles. The job outlook for this field indicates a decline of 14.6%, with approximately 2,800 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this area is around $47,300, and many roles may require a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 10.0301
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Prepress Technicians and Workersprimary SOC 51-5111 | $48,690 | -14.6% Decline | ~2,800 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Graphic 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
- Generate prepress proofs in digital or other format to approximate the appearance of the final printed piece.
- Proofread and perform quality control of text and images.
- Enter, position, and alter text size, using computers, to make up and arrange pages so that printed materials can be produced.
- Perform "preflight" check of required font, graphic, text and image files to ensure completeness prior to delivery to printer.
- Operate and maintain laser plate-making equipment that converts electronic data to plates without the use of film.
- Enter, store, and retrieve information on computer-aided equipment.
Tools and technology used
Other Graphic Communications specializations
The 8 other 6-digit CIP codes under Graphic Communications (CIP 10.03).
- Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special EffectsCIP 10.03046,849 graduates / yr250 institutions
- Prepress/CIP 10.0303
Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design 1,335 graduates / yr83 institutions - Graphic and Printing Equipment OperatorCIP 10.0305252 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Graphic CommunicationsCIP 10.0399170 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Printing ManagementCIP 10.0302partial data56 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Printing Press OperatorCIP 10.0307limited data9 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Platemaker/CIP 10.0306
Imager limited data7 graduates / yr2 institutions - Computer Typography and Composition Equipment OperatorCIP 10.0308limited data7 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree, or various awards based on your coursework.
What skills will I develop in the Graphic Communications program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and various technical competencies related to graphic production.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook indicates a decline of 14.6%, with around 2,800 annual openings in the field.
What is the median wage for careers in this field?+
The median wage for positions related to Graphic Communications is approximately $47,300.
What is the CIP code for Graphic Communications?+
Graphic Communications is CIP 10.0301 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Graphic Communications (CIP 10.03). NCES defines it as: A program that generally prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the manufacture and distribution or transmission of graphic communications products. Includes instruction in the prepress, press, and postpress phases of production operations and processes such as offset lithography, flexography, gravure, letterpress, screen printing, foil stamping, digital imaging, and other reproduction methods.
How many institutions offer Graphic Communications programs?+
29 U.S. institutions reported Graphic Communications graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 16 states, awarding 455 credentials in the year. That is 5.0% of all Graphic Communications graduates.
How much do Graphic Communications graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Prepress Technicians and Workers occupation, which Graphic Communications most directly leads to, pays a median of $48,690 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Graphic Communications field report median earnings of $30,059 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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