by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 347 U.S. colleges awarded 9,158 degrees and certificates in Graphic Communications. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 44% of graduates. College Factual ranks 192 schools in its 2027 Best Graphic Communications Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $28,094 one year after completing, rising to $44,537 after four years.
Do 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.
A major in Graphic Communications covers Graphic Communications.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., graphic communications is a popular field of study, with 9,158 degrees awarded annually. 347 colleges award graphic communications degrees, an average of 26 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 862.
By level, the 9,158 awards include 892 certificates, 2,032 associate degrees, 3,984 bachelor’s degrees and 2,196 master’s degrees.
Women earned 54% of graphic communications degrees and certificates in the latest year (4,918 of 9,158). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,610) and Hispanic or Latino (2,166), and international students earned 876.
College Factual ranks 192 schools in its 2027 Best Graphic Communications Schools ranking, including 71 for associate degrees, 77 for bachelor’s degrees and 15 for master’s degrees. It also ranks graphic communications schools within 27 states. In all, 347 colleges offer graphic communications programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Graphic Communications Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common graphic communications credential is the bachelor’s degree: 3,984 of the 9,158 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to graphic communications call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, English Language and Production and Processing, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Information Ordering and Visualization.
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.
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How long a graphic communications degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 892 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,032 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,984 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,196 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to graphic communications, at 45.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 45.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 17.2% |
| Some college courses | 13.6% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 11.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Graphic Communications, with an average median salary of $34,236; the strongest outlook belongs to Etchers and Engravers, at 14.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Computer Typesetter, Compositor, Desktop Operator and Plate Maker.
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.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to graphic communications, at 989,173.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Etchers and Engravers | 989,173 | 14.7% |
| Desktop Publishers | 644,611 | 3.9% |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | 442,588 | 12.2% |
| Data Entry Keyers | 418,460 | 10.1% |
| Printing Press Operators | 78,762 | 12.3% |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | 40,928 | 6.1% |
Graphic Communications graduates earn a median $28,094 one year after completing their program, $44,537 after four years and $47,560 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,094 |
| 4 years | $44,537 |
| 5 years | $47,560 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to graphic communications is Special Effects Artists and Animators, with a median salary of $57,836.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $57,836 |
| Data Entry Keyers | $33,881 |
| Printing Press Operators | $31,814 |
| Etchers and Engravers | $28,903 |
| Desktop Publishers | $27,130 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $25,852 |
Graphic Communications includes 9 concentrations that together award 9,158 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects (6,864), Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design (1,335) and Graphic Communications, General (458). It has 3 similar majors in the Communications Technology/Support field, which together award 8,583 degrees a year; the largest are Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians (7,355), Communications Technologies/Technicians (1,042) and Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other (186). Browse all Communications Technology/Support majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians | 7,355 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians | 1,042 |
| Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other | 186 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
