by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 29 U.S. colleges awarded 458 degrees and certificates in General Graphic Communications. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 47% of graduates. College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best General 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.
Studying General Graphic Communications covers Graphic Communications, General. A Program That Generally Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills In The Manufacture And Distribution Or Transmission Of Graphic Communications Products. Includes Instruction In The Prepress, Press, And Postpress Phases Of Production Operations And Processes Such As Offset Lithography, Flexography, Gravure, Letterpress, Screen Printing, Foil Stamping, Digital Imaging, And Other Reproduction Methods.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general graphic communications is a widely-pursued major, with 458 degrees awarded annually. 29 colleges award general graphic communications degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 81.
By level, the 458 awards include 122 certificates, 69 associate degrees, 217 bachelor’s degrees and 49 master’s degrees.
Women earned 68% of general graphic communications degrees and certificates in the latest year (309 of 458). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (226) and Hispanic or Latino (58), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best General Graphic Communications Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees and 3 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks general graphic communications schools within 4 states. In all, 29 colleges offer general graphic communications programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Graphic Communications Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general graphic communications credential is the bachelor’s degree: 217 of the 458 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general graphic communications call most for Critical Thinking, Active Listening and Monitoring, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, English Language and Design, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Problem Sensitivity and Visual Color Discrimination.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a general graphic communications degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 122 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 69 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 217 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 49 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general graphic communications, at 39.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 39.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 23.2% |
| Some college courses | 20.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 5.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to General Graphic Communications, with an average median salary of $25,852; the strongest outlook belongs to Prepress Technicians and Workers, at 12.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Stonehand, Typesetting Machine Operator, Ludlow Machine Operator and Digital Print Operator.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to general graphic communications, at 442,588.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | 442,588 | 12.2% |
General 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 same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to general graphic communications, with a median salary of $25,852.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $25,852 |
General Graphic Communications has 8 similar majors in the Communications Technology/Support field, which together award 8,700 degrees a year; the largest are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects (6,864), Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design (1,335) and Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production (252). Browse all Communications Technology/Support majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
