by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you know the difference between Arial and Times New Roman font? Do you believe a picture says 1,000 words? If so, you might be interested in Graphic Communications.
This degree will prepare you for a career manufacturing and distributing graphic communication products. You will take classes on photography, animation, web and graphic design, screen printing, and digital imaging in order to introduce you to the production processes of the different types of graphic communications.
Graphic Communications is a broad topic, so students have the option to specialize in specific areas including Printing Management, Desktop Publishing, Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Graphic and Printing Equipment Operation, General Production, Platemaker/Imager, Printing Press Operation, and Computer Typography and Composition Equipment Operation.
A major in Graphic Communications covers Graphic Communications. Read on to learn the essential details every graphic communications student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering graphic communications programs.
In the U.S., graphic communications is a popular field of study, with 8,298 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Graphic Communications Schools ranking analyzes these 342 schools to determine the best overall colleges for graphic communications students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of graphic communications programs later in this article.
Programs in Graphic Communications build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations graphic communications graduates commonly enter.
Those who excel in Graphic Communications are creative, artistically talented, and have strong computer skills. Graphic communicators must develop unique and interesting ideas while possessing the skills to make their ideas a reality. Professionals must also have strong interpersonal skills and be able to work as part of a team to finish products.
Work environments vary depending on the type of career graduates pursue. Multimedia artists, animators, and digital imagers may be self-employed and set their own work hours or decide to work for a company. No matter where you work long hours are typical while working on projects. On the other hand, those interested in careers such as printing management, Platemaker/Imager, and Printing Press Operation will work a more typical workweek.
An internship or summer job will be beneficial to students interested in pursuing a career in Graphic Communications. This will allow students to build a portfolio and gain experience to give them an advantage when looking for a job after graduation.
The skill set emphasized by a graphic communications program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a graphic communications major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several graphic communications degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 957 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,950 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,539 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,825 |
People currently working in careers related to graphic communications tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 45.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 17.2% |
| Some college courses | 13.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in graphic communications careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
There are many career options available to Graphic Communications graduates. Some graduates have decided to pursue a career as a multimedia artist or animator within the movie industry while other have decided to work for video game companies or as a freelancer. This degree will prepare you for any type of career within graphic communications.
Majoring in graphic communications prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to graphic communications.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to graphic communications.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Etchers and Engravers | 989,173 | 14.7% |
| Desktop Publishers | 644,611 | 3.9% |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | 442,588 | 12.2% |
| Data Entry Keyers | 418,460 | 10.1% |
| Printing Press Operators | 78,762 | 12.3% |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of graphic communications graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,061 |
| 4 years | $41,119 |
| 5 years | $47,590 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for graphic communications graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers graphic communications grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
| Data Entry Keyers | $33,881 |
| Printing Press Operators | $31,814 |
| Etchers and Engravers | $28,903 |
| Desktop Publishers | $27,130 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $25,852 |
With 342 different graphic communications programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased graphic communications school rankings to help you.
Students interested in graphic communications, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | 7,169 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians | 1,043 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other | 166 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
