by our College Data Analytics Team
[Graphic Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/graphic-communications/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools on the early-career earnings of their graphic communications graduates.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send graphic communications graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Art Center College Of Design, our #1 for graphic communications graduate salaries in the United States. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the graphic communications program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,010.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying graphic communications schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Students who complete the graphic communications program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,135.
Students chasing top earnings in graphic communications will find them at Loyola Marymount University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Graphic Communications graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of about $63,611 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in graphic communications will find them at Brigham Young University Provo, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, graphic communications degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo typically earn about $87,288 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Maryland University College earned it the #5 place for graphic communications. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. Students who complete the graphic communications program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,041.
Illinois State University earned the #6 position for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. Illinois State University is a public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students who complete the graphic communications program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,462.
Ringling College Of Art And Design earned the #7 position for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Sarasota, Ringling College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, graphic communications degree recipients from Ringling College Of Art And Design typically earn about $74,421 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Stout placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for graphic communications. University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public school located in the town of Menomonie. Students who complete the graphic communications program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,093.
Rochester Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying graphic communications schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career graphic communications graduates from Rochester Institute Of Technology make a median of around $77,838 per year.
Carroll University earned the #10 position for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career graphic communications graduates from Carroll University make a median of around $55,027 per year.
New Jersey Institute Of Technology earned the #11 position for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public school located in the city of Newark. Early-career graphic communications graduates from New Jersey Institute Of Technology make a median of around $51,686 per year.
Digipen Institute Of Technology earned the #12 position for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Redmond, Digipen Institute Of Technology is a private for-profit institution. Early-career graphic communications graduates from Digipen Institute Of Technology make a median of around $53,376 per year.
Cogswell Polytechnical College earned the #13 position for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. Cogswell Polytechnical College is a private for-profit school located in the city of San Jose. After graduating, graphic communications degree recipients from Cogswell Polytechnical College typically earn about $56,685 annually.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #14 for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a public institution. Graphic Communications graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of about $48,089 a year early in their careers.
George Mason University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for graphic communications. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Early-career graphic communications graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $61,613 per year.
Columbia College Chicago earned the #16 position for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career graphic communications graduates from Columbia College Chicago make a median of around $65,596 per year.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #17 spot for graphic communications salaries this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Early-career graphic communications graduates from University Of Northern Iowa make a median of around $49,336 per year.
Arizona State University earned the #18 position for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. Arizona State University is a public school located in the city of Tempe. Graphic Communications graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of about $54,254 a year early in their careers.
Sam Houston State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying graphic communications schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Early-career graphic communications graduates from Sam Houston State University make a median of around $38,401 per year.
Bradley University placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for graphic communications. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Graphic Communications graduates of Bradley University earn a median of about $58,232 a year early in their careers.
Academy Of Art University landed the #21 spot for graphic communications salaries this year. Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. After graduating, graphic communications degree recipients from Academy Of Art University typically earn about $54,175 annually.
Ferris State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying graphic communications schools. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a public institution. Students who complete the graphic communications program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,604.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #23 position for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public school located in the city of Duluth. Graphic Communications graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of about $36,557 a year early in their careers.
Laguna College Of Art And Design landed the #24 spot for graphic communications salaries this year. Laguna College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Laguna Beach. Graphic Communications graduates of Laguna College Of Art And Design earn a median of about $62,659 a year early in their careers.
Pittsburg State University placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for graphic communications. Pittsburg State University is a public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Graphic Communications graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of about $43,447 a year early in their careers.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning graphic communications graduates:
Explore the highest-paying graphic communications schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries graphic communications graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 55 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.