by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying General Graphic Communications covers Graphic Communications, General. 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. Read on to learn the important information every general graphic communications major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering general graphic communications programs.
In the U.S., general graphic communications is a widely-pursued major, with 551 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best General Graphic Communications Schools ranking analyzes these 32 schools to determine the best overall colleges for general graphic communications students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of general graphic communications programs later in this article.
Coursework for General Graphic Communications emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations general graphic communications graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a general graphic communications program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a general graphic communications major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several general 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 | 151 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 69 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 230 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 92 |
People currently working in careers related to general graphic communications tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 39.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 23.2% |
| Some college courses | 20.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 5.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in general graphic communications careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying general graphic communications can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to general graphic communications.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to general graphic communications.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | 442,588 | 12.2% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of general graphic communications graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 general graphic communications graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers general graphic communications grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $25,852 |
With 32 different general graphic communications programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased general graphic communications school rankings to help you.
Those considering general graphic communications, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
