2026 Best Graphic Communications Schools in the Far Western Region
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 115 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for graphic communications students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Graphic Communications in the Far Western Region
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.
Top Schools in Graphic Communications
Leading the list is California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, our #1 school for graphic communications. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $17,961.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 35 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from University Of Southern California earn around $75,677 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from University Of Southern California
Chapman University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic communications, ranking #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 30 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $50,947 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $21,657 in student loans.
Get the full graphic communications details for Chapman University
Loyola Marymount University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 22 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $52,935 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,248.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from Loyola Marymount University
Art Center College Of Design is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in graphic communications, ranking #5. Art Center College Of Design is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Art Center College Of Design graduates 79% of students within six years. About 95 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Art Center College Of Design in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $67,010 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $35,593 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic communications details for Art Center College Of Design
California State University Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $48,403. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans.
See the full graphic communications program report for California State University Los Angeles
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best graphic communications schools. Set in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public institution. About 55 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graphic Communications graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans.
Get the full graphic communications details for Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Santa Rosa Junior College placed #8 among the best graphic communications schools. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 28 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic communications program report for Santa Rosa Junior College
Diablo Valley College placed #9 among the best graphic communications schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 29 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Diablo Valley College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $27,813 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete this degree.
Get the full graphic communications details for Diablo Valley College
California College Of The Arts came in at #10 for graphic communications this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Francisco. California College Of The Arts graduates 61% of students within six years. About 68 graphic communications degrees were awarded at California College Of The Arts in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from California College Of The Arts earn around $26,481 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from California College Of The Arts
California Institute Of The Arts came in at #11 for graphic communications this year. Set in the suburb of Valencia, California Institute Of The Arts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 72 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Graphic Communications graduates of California Institute Of The Arts earn a median of $22,475 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,031.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from California Institute Of The Arts
Laguna College Of Art And Design earned the #12 position for graphic communications this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Laguna Beach. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Laguna College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $17,941 in their early career. Laguna College Of Art And Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Laguna College Of Art And Design
Woodbury University came in at #13 for graphic communications this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Burbank. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Woodbury University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Woodbury University generally make around $45,051. Students borrow a median of $30,996 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic communications program report for Woodbury University
Mt San Antonio College landed the #14 spot for graphic communications this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Walnut. There were roughly 62 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from Mt San Antonio College
Orange Coast College earned the #15 position for graphic communications this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 25 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Orange Coast College earn around $46,306 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete this degree.
See the full graphic communications program report for Orange Coast College
Southern California Institute Of Architecture came in at #16 for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Southern California Institute Of Architecture is a small private not-for-profit institution. Southern California Institute Of Architecture graduates 71% of students within six years. About 21 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Southern California Institute Of Architecture in the most recent year.
Get the full graphic communications details for Southern California Institute Of Architecture
Santa Monica College came in at #17 for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. Santa Monica College awarded about 129 graphic communications degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Santa Monica College
University Of Hawaii West Oahu came in at #18 for graphic communications this year. Located in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 59 graphic communications degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii West Oahu in the most recent year. Graphic Communications graduates of University Of Hawaii West Oahu earn a median of $41,082 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,957.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from University Of Hawaii West Oahu
Kapiolani Community College placed #19 among the best graphic communications schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Honolulu. There were roughly 12 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Kapiolani Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $48,210 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,738.
See the full graphic communications program report for Kapiolani Community College
Santa Ana College landed the #20 spot for graphic communications this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Ana. There were roughly 62 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Santa Ana College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Santa Ana College graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from Santa Ana College
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #21 position for graphic communications this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 55 graphic communications degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, graphic communications degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $16,556. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full graphic communications program report for University Of Hawaii At Manoa
College Of San Mateo landed the #22 spot for graphic communications this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. There were roughly 16 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at College Of San Mateo in the most recent data year. College Of San Mateo graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans.
Get the full graphic communications details for College Of San Mateo
College Of The Canyons came in at #23 for graphic communications this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 38 graphic communications degrees were awarded at College Of The Canyons in the most recent year. Graphic Communications graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. College Of The Canyons graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans.
More information about a degree in graphic communications from College Of The Canyons
Pasadena City College landed the #24 spot for graphic communications this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. There were roughly 46 graphic communications students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the graphic communications program make about $38,841 in their early career. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans.
See the full graphic communications program report for Pasadena City College
Canada College landed the #25 spot for graphic communications this year. Set in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public institution. About 20 graphic communications degrees were awarded at Canada College in the most recent year. Students who receive their graphic communications degree from Canada College earn around $106,691 in the first couple years of their career. Canada College graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
Read more about the graphic communications program at Canada College
Rest of the Top 50 Graphic Communications Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong graphic communications education:
Narrow Graphic Communications Schools by State
More Graphic Communications Rankings
View All Graphic Communications Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 115 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
