Graphic Communications degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their graphic communications programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 192 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for graphic communications students pursuing a degree.
Where you study graphic communications matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Graphic Communications 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. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on 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.
Leading the list is California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, our #1 school for graphic communications. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 81 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $49,029 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,961 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic communications details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in graphic communications, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 34 graphic communications degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graphic Communications graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from University Of Southern California
Northeastern University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best graphic communications schools. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 57 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $74,800 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,611.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Northeastern University
Southern Methodist University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in graphic communications, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 76 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.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Southern Methodist University
A rank of #5 makes New York University one of the top schools for graphic communications. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 38 graphic communications degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree.
Read more about the graphic communications program at New York University
Chapman University placed #6 among the best graphic communications schools. Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Orange. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Chapman University awarded about 31 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Chapman University generally make around $50,947. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Chapman University
George Mason University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best graphic communications schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 79 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $29,192. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
Read more about the graphic communications program at George Mason University
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best graphic communications schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 140 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $25,358 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,714.
See the full graphic communications program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
Ringling College Of Art And Design earned the #9 position for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Sarasota, Ringling College Of Art And Design is a small private not-for-profit institution. Ringling College Of Art And Design graduates 72% of students within six years. About 132 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. Ringling College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full graphic communications program report for Ringling College Of Art And Design
Arizona State University earned the #10 position for graphic communications this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 81 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $29,305 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,964.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Arizona State University
Drexel University earned the #11 position for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. About 26 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $31,790. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from Drexel University
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best graphic communications schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $38,725 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic communications program report for Brigham Young University Provo
Loyola Marymount University placed #13 among the best graphic communications schools. 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 15 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $52,935 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic communications details for Loyola Marymount University
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best graphic communications schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates 65% of students within six years. About 24 graphic communications degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $36,557 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans.
See the full graphic communications program report for University Of Minnesota Duluth
Montclair State University landed the #15 spot for graphic communications this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Montclair. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 29 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Montclair State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $44,369. Typical student debt for the program is $25,286.
Get the full graphic communications details for Montclair State University
Appalachian State University earned the #16 position for graphic communications this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $42,340. Typical student debt for the program is $21,992.
Get the full graphic communications details for Appalachian State University
Ball State University earned the #17 position for graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 46 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Ball State University in the most recent 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.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Ball State University
University Of Wisconsin Stout landed the #18 spot for graphic communications this year. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Stout in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $48,744 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Stout graduates carry a median of $25,937 in student loans.
See the full graphic communications program report for University Of Wisconsin Stout
Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #19 spot for graphic communications this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $32,044. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full graphic communications details for Rochester Institute Of Technology
Columbia College Chicago earned the #20 position for graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 76 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $26,309 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Columbia College Chicago
Art Center College Of Design placed #21 among the best graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. Art Center College Of Design awarded about 116 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Art Center College Of Design earn around $67,010 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $35,593 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from Art Center College Of Design
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #22 among the best graphic communications schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 16 graphic communications degrees were awarded at William Paterson University Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. Typical student debt for the program is $25,644.
Get the full graphic communications details for William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Clark University came in at #23 for graphic communications this year. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 45 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Clark University in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of Clark University earn a median of $43,257 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic communications details for Clark University
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #24 spot for graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $43,575. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic communications program report for Middle Tennessee State University
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #25 position for graphic communications this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 32 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $38,489 in their early career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,981 in student loans.
See the full graphic communications program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Rest of the Top 50 Graphic Communications Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s graphic communications ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 192 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).
