by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 581 U.S. colleges awarded 10,828 degrees and certificates in Graphic Design. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 57% of graduates. College Factual ranks 306 schools in its 2027 Best Graphic Design Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $32,258 one year after completing, rising to $50,151 after four years.
A 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., graphic design is a widely-pursued major, with 10,828 degrees awarded annually. 581 colleges award graphic design degrees, an average of 19 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 941.
By level, the 10,828 awards include 925 certificates, 2,126 associate degrees, 6,140 bachelor’s degrees and 1,633 master’s degrees.
Women earned 67% of graphic design degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,279 of 10,828). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,371) and Hispanic or Latino (2,415), and international students earned 377.
College Factual ranks 306 schools in its 2027 Best Graphic Design Schools ranking, including 98 for associate degrees, 163 for bachelor’s degrees and 15 for master’s degrees. It also ranks graphic design schools within 40 states. In all, 581 colleges offer graphic design programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Graphic Design Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common graphic design credential is the bachelor’s degree: 6,140 of the 10,828 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to graphic design call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Fine Arts, English Language and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a graphic design degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 925 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,126 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6,140 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,633 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to graphic design, at 33.6%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Graphic Design, with an average median salary of $72,702; the strongest outlook belongs to Artists and Related Workers, All Other, at 13.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Adjunct Instructor, Dancing Teacher, Art Professor and Vocal Teacher.
The occupation related to graphic design with the most projected jobs is Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, at 1,074,154.
| 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% |
Graphic Design graduates earn a median $32,258 one year after completing their program, $50,151 after four years and $47,460 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,258 |
| 4 years | $50,151 |
| 5 years | $47,460 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to graphic design is Art Directors, with a median salary of $103,285.
| 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 |
Graphic Design has 9 similar majors in the Visual & Performing Arts field, which together award 29,078 degrees a year; the largest are Design and Visual Communications, General (6,817), Interior Design (5,801) and Fashion/Apparel Design (3,254). Browse all Visual & Performing Arts majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Design and Visual Communications, General | 6,817 |
| Interior Design | 5,801 |
| Fashion/Apparel Design | 3,254 |
| Illustration | 3,183 |
| Commercial and Advertising Art | 3,106 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 2,975 |
| Design and Applied Arts, Other | 1,743 |
| Industrial and Product Design | 1,433 |
| Commercial Photography | 766 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
