Graphic Communications
Communications Technologies
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $34,184 | $30,062 to $45,994 | 7 | 57% |
| Associate's Degree | $38,274 | $31,988 to $41,684 | 23 | 48% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $42,180 | $34,752 to $50,812 | 66 | 70% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth -12% (2025 to 2035), about 27,200 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printing Press Operators | $45,780 | -8.7% | 12,100 |
| Data Entry Keyers | $41,340 | -25.5% | 7,700 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $102,030 | -0.3% | 4,200 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $48,690 | -15.3% | 2,100 |
| Etchers and Engravers | $43,310 | -0.7% | 800 |
| Desktop Publishers | $55,290 | -14.5% | 300 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Where this is studied
The 8 colleges where the most students complete a graphic communications program, of 350 that report one. Ordered by number of completions only: this is where people study it, not a judgement about where to.
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Columbia College Chicago
- Academy of Art University
- Front Range Community College
- Ringling College of Art and Design
- Columbus State Community College
- Salt Lake Community College
- Pikes Peak State College
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.