by our College Data Analytics Team
[Graphic Communications](/majors/communications-tech-support/graphic-communications/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The highest-paying schools turn a graphic communications degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find where graphic communications graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose graphic communications graduates go on to earn the most.
Illinois State University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid graphic communications graduates in Illinois. Illinois State University is a public school located in the suburb of Normal. Graphic Communications graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of about $56,462 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Columbia College Chicago earned it the #2 place for graphic communications. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, graphic communications degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago typically earn about $65,596 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Bradley University earned it the #3 place for graphic communications. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, graphic communications degree recipients from Bradley University typically earn about $58,232 annually.
Depaul University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in graphic communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the graphic communications program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,382.
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 · 4 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.