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 10 schools on the early-career earnings of their graphic communications graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send graphic communications graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Art Center College Of Design the top school for graphic communications graduate earnings in the Far Western Region. Art Center College Of Design is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. 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 produces some of the highest-paid graduates in graphic communications, landing the #2 spot this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Early-career graphic communications graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo make a median of around $87,135 per year.
Loyola Marymount University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in graphic communications, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, graphic communications degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University typically earn about $63,611 annually.
Digipen Institute Of Technology produces some of the highest-paid graduates in graphic communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Redmond, Digipen Institute Of Technology is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the graphic communications program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,376.
Cogswell Polytechnical College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in graphic communications, landing the #5 spot this year. Cogswell Polytechnical College is a private for-profit school located in the city of San Jose. Graphic Communications graduates of Cogswell Polytechnical College earn a median of about $56,685 a year early in their careers.
Academy Of Art University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying graphic communications schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, Academy Of Art University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career graphic communications graduates from Academy Of Art University make a median of around $54,175 per year.
Laguna College Of Art And Design ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying graphic communications schools. Laguna College Of Art And Design is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Laguna Beach. Early-career graphic communications graduates from Laguna College Of Art And Design make a median of around $62,659 per year.
California College Of The Arts came in at #8 for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. California College Of The Arts is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Graphic Communications graduates of California College Of The Arts earn a median of about $48,315 a year early in their careers.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #9 for graphic communications graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Graphic Communications graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of about $34,302 a year early in their careers.
Los Angeles Film School ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying graphic communications schools. Located in the city of Hollywood, Los Angeles Film School is a private for-profit institution. Early-career graphic communications graduates from Los Angeles Film School make a median of around $15,529 per year.
This list is compiled 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 · 10 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.