by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 114 U.S. colleges awarded 3,784 degrees and certificates in Computer Graphics. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 42% of graduates. College Factual ranks 59 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Graphics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $48,133 one year after completing, rising to $59,970 after four years.
Studying Computer Graphics covers Computer Graphics. A Program That Focuses On The Software, Hardware, And Mathematical Tools Used To Represent, Display, And Manipulate Topological, Two-, And Three-Dimensional Objects On A Computer Screen And That Prepares Individuals To Function As Computer Graphics Specialists. Includes Instruction In Graphics Software And Systems; Digital Multimedia; Graphic Design; Graphics Devices, Processors, And Standards; Attributes And Transformations; Projections; Surface Identification And Rendering; Color Theory And Application; And Applicable Geometry And Algorithms.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, computer graphics draws strong interest, with 3,784 degrees awarded annually. 114 colleges award computer graphics degrees, an average of 33 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 446.
By level, the 3,784 awards include 113 certificates, 635 associate degrees, 1,601 bachelor’s degrees and 1,378 master’s degrees.
Women earned 56% of computer graphics degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,129 of 3,784). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,359) and Hispanic or Latino (1,150), and international students earned 379.
College Factual ranks 59 schools in its 2027 Best Computer Graphics Schools ranking, including 25 for associate degrees, 23 for bachelor’s degrees and 7 for master’s degrees. It also ranks computer graphics schools within 19 states. In all, 114 colleges offer computer graphics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Computer Graphics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common computer graphics credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,601 of the 3,784 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to computer graphics call most for Active Listening, Critical Thinking and Complex Problem Solving, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Comprehension and Near Vision.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a computer graphics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 113 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 635 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,601 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,378 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to computer graphics, at 69.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 69.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 14.4% |
| Master’s degree | 4.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.1% |
| Some college courses | 4.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.9% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Computer Graphics, with an average median salary of $87,559; the strongest outlook belongs to Computer Programmers, at 11.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Programmer, E-Commerce Programmer (Electronic Commerce Programmer), Java Architect and Mainframe Programmer.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to computer graphics, at 666,800.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Programmers | 666,800 | 11.7% |
| Graphic Designers | 267,813 | 4.6% |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 202,912 | 0.6% |
Computer Graphics graduates earn a median $48,133 one year after completing their program, $59,970 after four years and $46,880 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $48,133 |
| 4 years | $59,970 |
| 5 years | $46,880 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to computer graphics, with a median salary of $109,892.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Programmers | $109,892 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $86,398 |
| Graphic Designers | $66,386 |
Computer Graphics has 4 similar majors in the Computer & Information Sciences field, which together award 12,570 degrees a year; the largest are Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design (5,374), Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration (3,836) and Computer Software and Media Applications, Other (2,098). Browse all Computer & Information Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design | 5,374 |
| Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration | 3,836 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications, Other | 2,098 |
| Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation | 1,262 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
