by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Graphic Design covers Graphic Design. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Artistic And Computer Techniques To The Interpretation Of Technical And Commercial Concepts. Includes Instruction In Computer-Assisted Art And Design, Printmaking, Concepts Sketching, Technical Drawing, Color Theory, Imaging, Studio Technique, Still And Life Modeling, Multimedia Applications, Communication Skills And Commercial Art Business Operations. Continue reading for the key facts every graphic design major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering graphic design programs.
In the U.S., graphic design is a widely-pursued major, with 10,676 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Graphic Design Schools ranking analyzes these 578 schools to determine the best overall colleges for graphic design students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of graphic design programs later in this article.
Coursework for Graphic Design develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations graphic design graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a graphic design program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a graphic design major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several graphic design 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 | 955 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,095 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5,829 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,793 |
People currently working in careers related to graphic design tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 33.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 19.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.1% |
| Some college courses | 3.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in graphic design careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in graphic design can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to graphic design.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to graphic design.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | 509,308 | 13.0% |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | 427,793 | 13.9% |
| Graphic Designers | 267,813 | 4.6% |
| Video Game Designers | 207,860 | 2.6% |
| Art Directors | 105,166 | 1.0% |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of graphic design graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,054 |
| 4 years | $41,389 |
| 5 years | $46,982 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for graphic design graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers graphic design grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Art Directors | $103,285 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $88,198 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,610 |
| Graphic Designers | $66,386 |
| Video Game Designers | $62,617 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 578 different graphic design programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased graphic design school rankings to help you.
Students interested in graphic design, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Design and Visual Communications, General | 6,186 |
| Interior Design | 5,651 |
| Illustration | 3,192 |
| Fashion/Apparel Design | 3,186 |
| Commercial and Advertising Art | 2,987 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 2,986 |
| Design and Applied Arts, Other | 1,640 |
| Industrial and Product Design | 1,395 |
| Commercial Photography | 899 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
