Graphic Communications degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 413 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for graphic communications students pursuing a degree.
The graphic communications program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Graphic Communications Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Graphic Communications School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Graphic Communications Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Graphic Communications in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the graphic communications degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo this year for graphic communications. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 80 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $49,029 early in their careers. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $17,961 in student loans.
Read more about the graphic communications program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Students looking for a strong graphic communications program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from University Of Southern California
Northeastern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic communications, ranking #3. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 48 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $74,800 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,611.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Northeastern University
Students looking for a strong graphic communications program will find one at Chapman University, which ranked #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 30 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $50,947 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,657.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from Chapman University
George Mason University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 79 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $29,192 in their early career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
See the full graphic communications program report for George Mason University
Ringling College Of Art And Design came in at #6 for graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Sarasota, Ringling College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 139 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Ringling College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Ringling College Of Art And Design earn around $44,048 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from Ringling College Of Art And Design
Syracuse University landed the #7 spot for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $54,785 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans.
See the full graphic communications program report for Syracuse University
Arizona State University came in at #8 for graphic communications this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 90 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Arizona State University earn around $29,305 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,964.
See the full graphic communications program report for Arizona State University
Loyola Marymount University landed the #9 spot for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 22 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Graphic Communications graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic communications program report for Loyola Marymount University
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #10 spot for graphic communications this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 27 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Brigham Young University Provo earn around $38,725 in the first couple years of their career. Brigham Young University Provo graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans.
See the full graphic communications program report for Brigham Young University Provo
Columbia College Chicago placed #11 among the best graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 110 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $26,309 in their early career. Columbia College Chicago graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Get the full graphic communications details for Columbia College Chicago
Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #12 position for graphic communications this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rochester. Rochester Institute Of Technology graduates 72% of students within six years. About 34 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $32,044. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from Rochester Institute Of Technology
Southern Methodist University placed #13 among the best graphic communications schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. Southern Methodist University graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 75 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712.
Get the full graphic communications details for Southern Methodist University
Illinois State University placed #14 among the best graphic communications schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 12 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Illinois State University earn around $49,660 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete this degree.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Illinois State University
Appalachian State University placed #15 among the best graphic communications schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 15 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $42,340 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,992.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Appalachian State University
Art Center College Of Design ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Art Center College Of Design awarded about 95 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Art Center College Of Design generally make around $67,010. Students borrow a median of $35,593 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic communications details for Art Center College Of Design
Drexel University earned the #17 position for graphic communications this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. About 78% of students finish within six years. Drexel University awarded about 12 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Drexel University earn around $31,790 in the first couple years of their career. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from Drexel University
Clark University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 44 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Clark University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $43,257 in their early career. Clark University graduates carry a median of $26,153 in student loans.
Get the full graphic communications details for Clark University
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #19 spot for graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $43,575 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,077.
Get the full graphic communications details for Middle Tennessee State University
Lawrence Technological University earned the #20 position for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Southfield, Lawrence Technological University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Lawrence Technological University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $74,924 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,799 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from Lawrence Technological University
University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #21 spot for graphic communications this year. Located in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates 55% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Stout awarded about 12 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stout generally make around $48,744. Typical student debt for the program is $25,937.
See the full graphic communications program report for University Of Wisconsin Stout
Ball State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 27 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $47,863 in their early career. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $24,518 in student loans.
Get the full graphic communications details for Ball State University
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $36,557 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic communications details for University Of Minnesota Duluth
Flint Hills Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Flint Hills Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. About 11 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Flint Hills Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $40,435 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,690.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from Flint Hills Technical College
Southeast Technical Institute came in at #25 for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Southeast Technical Institute is a mid-sized public institution. About 22 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Southeast Technical Institute in the most recent year. Graphic Communications graduates of Southeast Technical Institute earn a median of $48,654 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,442 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic communications program report for Southeast Technical Institute
Rest of the Top 50 Graphic Communications Schools
These schools also placed among the best for graphic communications this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 413 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
