by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, graphic design was the 107th most popular major nationwide with 8,710 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 169 over the prior year, a growth of 1.9%.
This year's Best Graphic Design Schools ranking compares 192 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom graphic design rankings further below.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to graphic design. Talking to others to convey information effectively and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents are all required skills for careers related to this major.
graphic design degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic graphic design program qualifications, to serve in some graphic design careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Graphic Design degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in graphic design to something that takes less time like a . The type of graphic design degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to graphic design, with approximately 50.4% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for graphic design workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 41.4% |
| Master’s Degree | 26.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 13.9% |
| Some College Courses | 8.2% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 6.1% |
76.9% of graphic design workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in graphic design have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which graphic design career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your graphic design degree? Graphic Design careers are expected to grow 6.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to graphic design.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designers | 277,400 | 4.2% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
| Art Directors | 95,200 | 5.4% |
| Multimedia Artists and Animators | 79,900 | 8.4% |
| Artists | 13,500 | 5.5% |
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts - Web Design
Gain a solid grounding in your online web design classes and exercise your creative muscle with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Get on the right path to the fast-paced, exciting world of video game art and design with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
As you might expect, salaries for graphic design graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for graphic design graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers graphic design grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Art Directors | $104,590 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
| Multimedia Artists and Animators | $78,230 |
| Artists | $67,700 |
| Graphic Designers | $54,680 |
With over 865 different graphic design degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased graphic design school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Graphic Design that might interest you.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts - Web Design
Gain a solid grounding in your online web design classes and exercise your creative muscle with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Get on the right path to the fast-paced, exciting world of video game art and design with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
BS in Game Programming & Development
Go beyond traditional software development to gain the technical expertise required to succeed in an exciting and competitive field with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Graphic Design is one of 9 different types of Design & Applied Arts programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Interior Design | 5,840 |
| Visual Communications | 5,765 |
| Commercial & Advertising Art | 3,597 |
| Fashion Design | 3,103 |
| Game & Interactive Media Design | 2,692 |
