by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you know the difference between Arial and Times New Roman font? Do you believe a picture says 1,000 words? If so, you might be interested in Graphic Communications.
This degree will prepare you for a career manufacturing and distributing graphic communication products. You will take classes on photography, animation, web and graphic design, screen printing, and digital imaging in order to introduce you to the production processes of the different types of graphic communications.
Graphic Communications is a broad topic, so students have the option to specialize in specific areas including Printing Management, Desktop Publishing, Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects, Graphic and Printing Equipment Operation, General Production, Platemaker/Imager, Printing Press Operation, and Computer Typography and Composition Equipment Operation.
In 2020-2021, graphic communications was the 122nd most popular major nationwide with 7,518 degrees awarded. This is approximately the same as the 7,475 graduates the prior year.
This year's Best Graphic Communications Schools ranking compares 60 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of graphic communication programs later in this article.
Those who excel in Graphic Communications are creative, artistically talented, and have strong computer skills. Graphic communicators must develop unique and interesting ideas while possessing the skills to make their ideas a reality. Professionals must also have strong interpersonal skills and be able to work as part of a team to finish products.
Work environments vary depending on the type of career graduates pursue. Multimedia artists, animators, and digital imagers may be self-employed and set their own work hours or decide to work for a company. No matter where you work long hours are typical while working on projects. On the other hand, those interested in careers such as printing management, Platemaker/Imager, and Printing Press Operation will work a more typical workweek.
An internship or summer job will be beneficial to students interested in pursuing a career in Graphic Communications. This will allow students to build a portfolio and gain experience to give them an advantage when looking for a job after graduation.
graphic communications 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. Specific graphic communication careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are various different levels of graphic communication degrees. Graphic Communications programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest graphic communication degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a graphic communication degree varies depending on the program.
| 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 communication, with approximately 14.1% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for graphic communication workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 38.6% |
| Some College Courses | 17.3% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 14.0% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 13.0% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 9.2% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in graphic communications have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the graphic communication career you are seeking.
There are many career options available to Graphic Communications graduates. Some graduates have decided to pursue a career as a multimedia artist or animator within the movie industry while other have decided to work for video game companies or as a freelancer. This degree will prepare you for any type of career within graphic communications.
Want a job when you graduate with your graphic communication degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to graphic communications.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Data Entry Keyers | 160,600 | -21.2% |
| Printing Press Operators | 160,200 | -10.4% |
| Multimedia Artists and Animators | 79,900 | 8.4% |
| Prepress Technicians | 27,700 | -19.9% |
| Desktop Publishers | 12,500 | -14.4% |
Recently graduated graphic communications students earned an average of $28,374 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $14,399 to as high as $67,897. As you might expect, salaries for graphic communication graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for graphic communications graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers graphic communication grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Multimedia Artists and Animators | $78,230 |
| Desktop Publishers | $46,750 |
| Prepress Technicians | $42,240 |
| Printing Press Operators | $38,470 |
| Etchers and Engravers | $34,550 |
With over 789 different graphic communication 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 communication school rankings to help you with this.
One of 3 majors within the Communications Technologies & Support area of study, Graphic Communications has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Audiovisual Communications | 6,229 |
| Communications Technology | 915 |
| Other Communication Technology | 164 |
Image Credit: By Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
