Graphic Communications: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 69 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$299,404 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
—Modeled economic break-even
−107%Modeled 10-year ROI
$43,058Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$43,058Median reported earnings · year 4
$49,911Average reported earnings · year 5
$27,000Median federal debt
8thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
69Reporting programs
63With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $34,184
- Federal debt
- $11,250
- Reporting programs
- 8
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $38,274
- Federal debt
- $11,626
- Reporting programs
- 24
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $43,058
- Federal debt
- $27,000
- Reporting programs
- 69
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $58,803
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $23,653
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$35,100National median$43,05875th percentile$50,833
63 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
66 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$79,432Federal debt$17,961Annual net price$16,6652Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$76,522Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$48,3813Ringling College of Art and DesignSarasota, FL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$75,213Federal debt$27,000Annual net price$57,7424Brigham Young UniversityProvo, UT · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$73,941Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$15,5645Baker CollegeOwosso, MI · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$67,583Federal debt$32,714Annual net price$13,1576Roger Williams UniversityBristol, RI · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$61,887Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$37,9997University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth, MN · PublicYear-4 earnings$61,062Federal debt$24,500Annual net price$18,7438University of Wisconsin-StoutMenomonie, WI · PublicYear-4 earnings$59,621Federal debt$25,937Annual net price$17,4909University of Maryland Global CampusAdelphi, MD · PublicYear-4 earnings$58,759Federal debt$26,038Annual net price$22,06310University of California, Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$58,163Federal debt$20,714Annual net price$17,89011Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ · PublicYear-4 earnings$57,618Federal debt$18,964Annual net price$14,96712Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale, AZ · PublicYear-4 earnings$57,618Federal debt$18,964Annual net priceNot available13Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL · PublicYear-4 earnings$55,723Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$19,39814Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$55,122Federal debt$27,000Annual net price$34,90615Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling Green, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$52,388Federal debt$26,981Annual net price$24,02216California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$51,834Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$26,28517Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco, CA · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$50,833Federal debt$36,717Annual net price$40,61318Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL · PublicYear-4 earnings$50,751Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$12,93719University of Silicon ValleySan Jose, CA · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$49,968Federal debt$31,000Annual net price$27,81520University of IdahoMoscow, ID · PublicYear-4 earnings$49,188Federal debt$26,958Annual net price$14,83121George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$47,440Federal debt$23,000Annual net price$17,91522Carroll UniversityWaukesha, WI · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$47,327Federal debt$27,000Annual net price$15,19323University of CharlestonCharleston, WV · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$47,037Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$22,10724DigiPen Institute of TechnologyRedmond, WA · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$45,571Federal debt$27,000Annual net price$44,44625DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$45,028Federal debt$25,864Annual net price$30,902
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo$79,4322Loyola Marymount University$76,5223Ringling College of Art and Design$75,2134Brigham Young University$73,9415Baker College$67,5836Roger Williams University$61,8877University of Minnesota-Duluth$61,0628University of Wisconsin-Stout$59,6219University of Maryland Global Campus$58,75910University of California, Santa Cruz$58,163Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Prepress Technicians and WorkersSOC 51-5111 · 8 crosswalk linksPrinting Press OperatorsSOC 51-5112 · 4 crosswalk linksDesktop PublishersSOC 43-9031 · 2 crosswalk linksData Entry KeyersSOC 43-9021 · 1 crosswalk linksEtchers and EngraversSOC 51-9194 · 1 crosswalk linksSpecial Effects Artists and AnimatorsSOC 27-1014 · 1 crosswalk links
Where this degree has enough data to compare
State pages are published only when at least five operating colleges report year-4 earnings for this exact field and credential.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoBachelor's Degree | San Luis Obispo, CA | $79,432 | $17,961 | +40% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | Loyola Marymount UniversityBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $76,522 | Not available | -16% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Ringling College of Art and DesignBachelor's Degree | Sarasota, FL | $75,213 | $27,000 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Brigham Young UniversityBachelor's Degree | Provo, UT | $73,941 | Not available | +19% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | Baker CollegeBachelor's Degree | Owosso, MI | $67,583 | $32,714 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Roger Williams UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bristol, RI | $61,887 | Not available | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 7 | University of Minnesota-DuluthBachelor's Degree | Duluth, MN | $61,062 | $24,500 | -37% | Negative payoff |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin-StoutBachelor's Degree | Menomonie, WI | $59,621 | $25,937 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 9 | University of Maryland Global CampusBachelor's Degree | Adelphi, MD | $58,759 | $26,038 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 10 | University of California, Santa CruzBachelor's Degree | Santa Cruz, CA | $58,163 | $20,714 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 11 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionBachelor's Degree | Tempe, AZ | $57,618 | $18,964 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Arizona State University Digital ImmersionBachelor's Degree | Scottsdale, AZ | $57,618 | $18,964 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 13 | Illinois State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Normal, IL | $55,723 | Not available | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Rochester Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Rochester, NY | $55,122 | $27,000 | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 15 | Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Bowling Green, OH | $52,388 | $26,981 | -73% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | California Baptist UniversityBachelor's Degree | Riverside, CA | $51,834 | Not available | -76% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Academy of Art UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $50,833 | $36,717 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Western Illinois UniversityBachelor's Degree | Macomb, IL | $50,751 | Not available | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | University of Silicon ValleyBachelor's Degree | San Jose, CA | $49,968 | $31,000 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | University of IdahoBachelor's Degree | Moscow, ID | $49,188 | $26,958 | -83% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | George Mason UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairfax, VA | $47,440 | $23,000 | -90% | Negative payoff |
| 22 | Carroll UniversityBachelor's Degree | Waukesha, WI | $47,327 | $27,000 | -90% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | University of CharlestonBachelor's Degree | Charleston, WV | $47,037 | Not available | -92% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | DigiPen Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Redmond, WA | $45,571 | $27,000 | -98% | Negative payoff |
| 25 | DePaul UniversityBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $45,028 | $25,864 | -100% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at CobleskillBachelor's Degree | Cobleskill, NY | $44,661 | Not available | -101% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Ferris State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Big Rapids, MI | $44,116 | $27,000 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | University of Northern IowaBachelor's Degree | Cedar Falls, IA | $44,066 | $21,070 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Columbia College ChicagoBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $43,970 | $25,000 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | Minneapolis College of Art and DesignBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $43,745 | $27,000 | -104% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Savannah College of Art and DesignBachelor's Degree | Savannah, GA | $43,058 | $26,748 | -105% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Sam Houston State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Huntsville, TX | $42,579 | $28,342 | -110% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Eastern Michigan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ypsilanti, MI | $42,490 | $27,047 | -110% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | University of Central MissouriBachelor's Degree | Warrensburg, MO | $41,870 | Not available | -113% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | Fairmont State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairmont, WV | $41,784 | Not available | -115% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | East Tennessee State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Johnson City, TN | $41,074 | $24,217 | -116% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Webster UniversityBachelor's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $40,168 | Not available | -117% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Pittsburg State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Pittsburg, KS | $39,946 | $25,500 | -121% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Laguna College of Art and DesignBachelor's Degree | Laguna Beach, CA | $38,850 | $27,000 | -118% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | Bradley UniversityBachelor's Degree | Peoria, IL | $37,657 | $27,000 | -127% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and DesignBachelor's Degree | Lakewood, CO | $37,239 | $32,982 | -125% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | Lynn UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boca Raton, FL | $36,590 | $35,503 | -124% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | University of Hawaii at ManoaBachelor's Degree | Honolulu, HI | $35,830 | $23,250 | -138% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | SUNY College of Technology at AlfredBachelor's Degree | Alfred, NY | $35,521 | $27,000 | -139% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Villa Maria CollegeBachelor's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $35,482 | Not available | -141% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Pratt Institute-MainBachelor's Degree | Brooklyn, NY | $35,100 | $26,724 | -125% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Full Sail UniversityBachelor's Degree | Winter Park, FL | $34,818 | Not available | -130% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | Huntington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Huntington, IN | $34,787 | $27,000 | -140% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Indian River State CollegeBachelor's Degree | Fort Pierce, FL | $34,741 | $12,500 | -153% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | Los Angeles Film SchoolBachelor's Degree | Hollywood, CA | $34,138 | $33,250 | -136% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | Montserrat College of ArtBachelor's Degree | Beverly, MA | $34,006 | Not available | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | College for Creative StudiesBachelor's Degree | Detroit, MI | $34,003 | $27,000 | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | New Mexico State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Las Cruces, NM | $33,612 | $22,500 | -153% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Columbus College of Art & DesignBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $33,389 | $27,000 | -139% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | California College of the ArtsBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $31,068 | $27,000 | -135% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Kansas City Art InstituteBachelor's Degree | Kansas City, MO | $30,798 | $27,000 | -149% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | School of Visual ArtsBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | $30,125 | $27,000 | -136% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Florida State College at JacksonvilleBachelor's Degree | Jacksonville, FL | $29,783 | Not available | -177% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Regent UniversityBachelor's Degree | Virginia Beach, VA | $29,565 | $26,000 | -159% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | Atlantic UniversityBachelor's Degree | Guaynabo, PR | $23,042 | $5,440 | -207% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | Art Center College of DesignBachelor's Degree | Pasadena, CA | Not available | $35,593 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $48,661 |
| 62 | Morgan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Baltimore, MD | Not available | $31,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $14,985 |
| 63 | New Jersey Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Newark, NJ | Not available | $25,875 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $16,504 |
| 64 | Fashion Institute of TechnologyBachelor's Degree | New York, NY | Not available | $19,875 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $19,095 |
| 65 | Cleveland Institute of ArtBachelor's Degree | Cleveland, OH | Not available | $27,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $29,208 |
| 66 | Middle Tennessee State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Murfreesboro, TN | Not available | $22,077 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | $13,359 |
| 67 | SAE Expression CollegeBachelor's Degree | , | $47,131 | $37,364 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 68 | AI Miami International University of Art and DesignBachelor's Degree | , | $37,542 | $33,557 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 69 | Living Arts CollegeBachelor's Degree | , | $33,079 | Not available | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.