Best institutions to study Graphic Communications
Any instructional program in graphic communications not listed above.
10 U.S. institutions graduated 170 Graphic Communications students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 10.0399, a specialization of Graphic Communications (CIP 10.03), and leads most directly to the Printing Press Operators occupation (BLS SOC 51-5112).
About Graphic Communications programs
Any instructional program in graphic communications not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Graphic Communications program focuses on the various aspects of graphic communication technologies and support services. This program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in printing and related fields, providing them with essential skills and knowledge required in the industry. Students will learn about different printing processes, equipment operation, and quality control measures.
Core skills developed in this program include monitoring, active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Students will gain knowledge in mechanical processes, production and processing techniques, and customer service, along with hands-on experience in operating printing equipment and ensuring quality standards.
Credentials awarded
What Graphic Communications graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree73 graduates / yr · 7 institutions43%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year51 graduates / yr · 3 institutions30%
- Bachelor's degree44 graduates / yr · 2 institutions26%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.2%
Graduates over time
Graphic Communications completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 149 |
| 2013 | 130 |
| 2014 | 134 |
| 2015 | 230 |
| 2016 | 215 |
| 2017 | 190 |
| 2018 | 209 |
| 2019 | 168 |
| 2020 | 190 |
| 2021 | 151 |
| 2022 | 194 |
| 2023 | 170 |
| 2024 | 157 |
| 2025 | 170 |
Top 10 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 | Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 36 | 33% | — | — |
| 2 | H Councill Trenholm State Community College Montgomery, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 16% | — | — |
| 3 | Middlesex College Edison, NJPublicAssociate's | 34 | 33% | — | $20,483 |
| 4 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicBachelor's | 32 | 64% | — | $38,489 |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicBachelor's | 12 | 55% | — | $48,744 |
| 6 | Kapiolani Community College Honolulu, HIPublicAssociate's | 8 | 22% | — | — |
| 7 | Bishop State Community College Mobile, ALPublicAssociate's | 5 | 36% | — | — |
| 8 | Bowling Green State University - Firelands Huron, OHPublicAssociate's | 5 | 11% | — | — |
| 9 | Alpena Community College Alpena, MIPublicAssociate's | 2 | 52% | — | — |
| 10 | Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 45% | — | — |
* 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 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 | 40 | H Councill Trenholm State Community College35 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 38 | Washtenaw Community College36 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 37 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus32 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 34 | Middlesex College34 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 2 | 13 | University of Wisconsin - Stout12 / yr |
| Hawaii | 1 | 8 | Kapiolani Community College8 / yr |
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 as Printing Press Operators, Prepress Technicians, and Etchers. The job outlook for this field is projected to decline by 8.1%, with an annual opening of approximately 13,700 positions. The median wage for these occupations is around $45,160, typically requiring at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 10.0399
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Printing Press Operatorsprimary SOC 51-5112 | $45,780 | -8.1% Decline | ~13,700 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Prepress Technicians and Workers SOC 51-5111 | $48,690 | -14.6% Decline | ~2,800 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Etchers and Engravers SOC 51-9194 | $43,310 | -0.7% Little or no change | ~900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
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
- 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.
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 CommunicationsCIP 10.0301455 graduates / yr29 institutions
- Graphic and Printing Equipment OperatorCIP 10.0305252 graduates / yr19 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 degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, and various awards for shorter courses.
How many colleges in the U.S. offer this program?+
There are 10 colleges in the U.S. that offer the Graphic Communications program.
What skills will I learn?+
You will learn skills such as monitoring, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is projected to decline by 8.1%, with a median wage of $45,160.
What is the CIP code for Graphic Communications?+
Graphic Communications is CIP 10.0399 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Graphic Communications (CIP 10.03). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in graphic communications not listed above.
How many institutions offer Graphic Communications programs?+
10 U.S. institutions reported Graphic Communications graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states, awarding 170 credentials in the year. That is 1.9% 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 Printing Press Operators occupation, which Graphic Communications most directly leads to, pays a median of $45,780 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Graphic Communications field report median earnings of $38,489 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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