Creative & Media
Graphic Designer
Graphic designers craft logos, layouts, and visual identities across print and digital. A creative field reshaped by AI tools, rewarding strong portfolios and versatility.
Median salary (BLS)
$58,000
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$38k – $90k
Job outlook
+3% (about average)
AI exposure
Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $91,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.
Plan a path to Graphic Designer
Education
Typical entry: Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's helps, but a strong portfolio matters most.
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateCost to qualify
$40,000–$150,000
Time to qualify
4 yr
Renewal
—
- 1
Bachelor's degree
DegreeFour years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.
$40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Graphic Designer" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Graphic Designer Intern
Internship
$36,000
~4 mos to advance
Junior Graphic Designer
Entry / Junior
$38,000
~2 yrs to advance
Graphic Designer
Established
$58,000
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Graphic Designer
Senior
$74,000
Internships are a common on-ramp here — they speed up landing that first role and improve your odds, which is why the Safe and High-ceiling plans build one in.
Key skills
A typical day
- •Design graphics and layouts
- •Iterate with clients
- •Prepare files for production
Fields of study
Graphic Design · Visual Arts
Top colleges for Creative & Media
Explore all- University of Southern California12% admit · $86,000 grad pay
- New York University12% admit · $84,000 grad pay
- Northwestern University7% admit · $95,000 grad pay
- University of Chicago5% admit · $91,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.