Best Schools for Graphic Communications

Graphic Communications graduates earn a median of $29,847 within two years of graduation, ranking #221 out of 292 tracked majors — 16% below the median across all fields. There are 61 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 2,706 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Brigham Young University graduates earn $54,713 while Atlantic University graduates earn $12,961 — a $41,752 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is moderate: Graphic Communications graduates see an average 9% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

61
Schools
$29,847
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#221
of 292 Majors
2,706
Graduates

Public vs Private: Graphic Communications

Public (24 schools)
$29,265
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (25 schools)
$31,274
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $2,009 more in early earnings on average for Graphic Communications graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Graphic Communications by State

Top Graphic Communications Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
B

Brigham Young University

Provo, UT · Private

$54,713
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,362
Grads: 24
Acceptance: 69.2%
#2
R

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private

$54,252
2yr Earnings
1yr: $51,726
Grads: 49
Acceptance: 71.4%
#3
C

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public

$52,385
2yr Earnings
1yr: $49,435
Grads: 74
Acceptance: 29.8%
#4
R

Ringling College of Art and Design

Sarasota, FL · Private

$48,725
2yr Earnings
1yr: $44,528
Grads: 69
Acceptance: 67.4%
#5
U

University of Maryland Global Campus

Adelphi, MD ·

$47,260
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,300
Grads: 41
Acceptance: N/A
#6
U

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Menomonie, WI · Public

$42,123
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,536
Grads: 46
Acceptance: 84.7%
#7
B

Baker College

Owosso, MI · Private

$41,565
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,944
Grads: 31
Acceptance: 87.5%
#8
U

University of Minnesota-Duluth

Duluth, MN · Public

$40,896
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,048
Grads: 43
Acceptance: 81.8%
#9
C

Carroll University

Waukesha, WI · Private

$40,768
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,463
Grads: 31
Acceptance: 58.4%
#10
I

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,259
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 89.0%
#11
N

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Newark, NJ · Public

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,565
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 66.9%
#12
R

Roger Williams University

Bristol, RI · Private

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,588
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 87.8%
#13
A

Art Center College of Design

Pasadena, CA · Private

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $63,126
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 75.0%
#14
A

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

$36,368
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,798
Grads: 128
Acceptance: 90.2%
#15
F

Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI · Public

$35,823
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,428
Grads: 51
Acceptance: 80.6%
#16
C

Chowan University

Murfreesboro, NC · Private

$35,060
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 72.4%
#17
C

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private

$34,526
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,784
Grads: 49
Acceptance: 73.6%
#18
C

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr: $22,857
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 91.2%
#19
G

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,474
Grads: 44
Acceptance: 88.8%
#20
B

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

$33,382
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 76.7%
#21
T

The Art Institute of Houston

Houston, TX ·

$33,281
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#22
T

The Art Institute of Austin

Bastrop, TX ·

$33,281
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#23
T

The Art Institute of San Antonio

San Antonio, TX ·

$33,281
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#24
A

Academy of Art University

San Francisco, CA ·

$32,498
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,837
Grads: 98
Acceptance: N/A
#25
P

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, KS · Public

$31,907
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,029
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 88.2%
#26
U

University of Silicon Valley

San Jose, CA · For-Profit

$30,984
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,541
Grads: 61
Acceptance: 51.3%
#27
U

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · Public

$30,771
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,933
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 94.4%
#28
C

California College of the Arts

San Francisco, CA · Private

$30,409
2yr Earnings
1yr: $16,698
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 73.4%
#29
L

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA · Private

$30,409
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 40.3%
#30
B

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH · Public

$30,228
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,166
Grads: 96
Acceptance: 80.6%
#31
U

University of Idaho

Moscow, ID · Public

$29,685
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 79.1%
#32
R

Regent University

Virginia Beach, VA · Private

$28,960
2yr Earnings
1yr: $15,565
Grads: 27
Acceptance: 41.2%
#33
I

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL ·

$28,816
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,863
Grads: 53
Acceptance: N/A
#34
D

DigiPen Institute of Technology

Redmond, WA · For-Profit

$25,774
2yr Earnings
1yr: $23,819
Grads: 65
Acceptance: 68.0%
#35
E

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI · Public

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,302
Grads: 47
Acceptance: 81.3%
#36
U

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR · Public

$24,421
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 81.5%
#37
P

Pratt Institute-Main

Brooklyn, NY · Private

$24,035
2yr Earnings
1yr: $22,391
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 53.2%
#38
F

Full Sail University

Winter Park, FL ·

$23,960
2yr Earnings
1yr: $22,247
Grads: 357
Acceptance: N/A
#39
S

SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Alfred, NY · Public

$23,456
2yr Earnings
1yr: $14,463
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 81.8%
#40
U

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, HI · Public

$23,262
2yr Earnings
1yr: $22,915
Grads: 32
Acceptance: 69.7%
#41
N

New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces, NM · Public

$23,262
2yr Earnings
1yr: $15,913
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 75.7%
#42
C

College for Creative Studies

Detroit, MI · Private

$23,207
2yr Earnings
1yr: $24,602
Grads: 81
Acceptance: 92.8%
#43
W

Webster University

Saint Louis, MO · Private

$22,806
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 58.0%
#44
S

SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY · Public

$22,806
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 96.3%
#45
S

Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah, GA · Private

$22,778
2yr Earnings
1yr: $21,127
Grads: 330
Acceptance: 83.7%
#46
V

Villa Maria College

Buffalo, NY · Private

$22,667
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 86.7%
#47
W

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$21,781
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,608
Grads: 27
Acceptance: 75.0%
#48
D

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$21,508
2yr Earnings
1yr: $19,606
Grads: 56
Acceptance: 73.5%
#49
L

Laguna College of Art and Design

Laguna Beach, CA · Private

$21,234
2yr Earnings
1yr: $22,279
Grads: 22
Acceptance: 77.6%
#50
A

AI Miami International University of Art and Design

Miami, FL ·

$21,234
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A

Showing top 50 of 61 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Graphic Communications?
Brigham Young University ranks #1 for Graphic Communications with median graduate earnings of $54,713 within two years. There are 61 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Graphic Communications graduates earn?
Graphic Communications graduates earn an average of $29,847 within two years of graduation. This is 16% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $12,961 to $54,713 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Graphic Communications program?
The average acceptance rate across Graphic Communications programs is 75.0%. The most selective program is at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a 29.8% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Graphic Communications?
Private Graphic Communications programs average $31,274 in early earnings vs $29,265 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

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