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2025 Best Graphic Communications Schools in California

7 Colleges in California
1,728 Graphic Communication Degrees Awarded
$27,929 Avg Early-Career Salary
Graphic Communications is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #122 most popular degree program in the country. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual looked at 7 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Graphic Communications Schools in California ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 1,728 degrees in graphic communications annually.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Graphic Communications School

Best Graphic Communications Schools in California Your choice of graphic communications school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Graphic Communications School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Graphic Communications Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Graphic Communication
Bachelor's Degrees in Graphic Communication
Master's Degrees in Graphic Communication

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Graphic Communications Schools in California ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Graphic Communications in California

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the graphic communication degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top California Schools in Graphic Communication

1
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
83 Graphic Communication Degrees Awarded
$49,029 Median Starting Salary

It is hard to beat California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo if you want to pursue a degree in graphic communications. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo.

There were approximately 83 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the graphic communications degree program at California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo make $21,100 more than the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in graphic communications from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

2
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
62 Graphic Communication Degrees Awarded
33.9% Growth in Graduates

It's difficult to beat Art Center College of Design if you want to pursue a degree in graphic communications. Art Center College of Design is a small private not-for-profit college located in the midsize city of Pasadena.

There were roughly 62 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Art Center College of Design in the most recent year we have data available. Graphic Communications degree recipients from Art Center College of Design receive an earnings boost of around $39,081 above the typical income of graphic communications graduates.

More information about a degree in graphic communications from Art Center College of Design

3
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
192 Graphic Communication Degrees Awarded
$27,481 Median Starting Salary

Academy of Art University is a good decision for students pursuing a degree in graphic communications. Academy of Art University is a medium-sized private for-profit university located in the city of San Francisco.

There were about 192 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Academy of Art University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communication degree recipients usually make about $27,481 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in graphic communications from Academy of Art University

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
69 Graphic Communication Degrees Awarded
7.2% Growth in Graduates

Every student pursuing a degree in graphic communications has to check out California College of the Arts. Located in the large city of San Francisco, California College of the Arts is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

There were about 69 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at California College of the Arts in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the graphic communication program state that they receive average early career income of $26,481.

More information about a degree in graphic communications from California College of the Arts

5
Cogswell crest
Cogswell College
San Jose, CA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
35 Graphic Communication Degrees Awarded
$33,727 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of San Jose, Cogswell is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

There were roughly 35 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Cogswell in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the graphic communications major at Cogswell College get $5,798 more than the average college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in graphic communications from Cogswell College

6

LCAD is a fairly small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of Laguna Beach.

There were approximately 29 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at LCAD in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, graphic communication degree recipients typically earn around $17,941 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in graphic communications from Laguna College of Art and Design

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
67 Graphic Communication Degrees Awarded
47.8% Growth in Graduates

LA Film School is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Hollywood.

There were about 67 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at LA Film School in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the graphic communication program earn about $15,529 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in graphic communications from Los Angeles Film School

Best Graphic Communications Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Graphic Communications Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 300 150
Oregon 266 16
Nevada 192 0
Hawaii 164 113

View All Rankings >

Graphic Communications is one of 3 different types of Communications Technologies & Support programs to choose from.

Graphic Communication Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics & Special Effects 1,187
Prepress/Desktop Publishing & Digital Imaging Design 438
General Graphic Communications 92
Graphic & Printing Equipment Operator, General Production 11

View All Graphic Communication Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Audiovisual Communications 1,010
Other Communication Technology 25

View All Graphic Communication Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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