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Commercial Art And Graphic Design

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Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Commercial Art And Graphic Design.

Entry Level Salary
$40,550
Median Salary
$73,086
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
27.9%
Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $2,923,440
Entry (Early)
$40,550
Median (Prime)
$73,086
High (Prime)
$71,027

ROI Sensitivity Analysis
Assuming 4 Years to Graduation

This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.

Lifetime Value Added (NPV)

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-90k
+189k
+173k
$25k / yr
-180k
+99k
+83k
$50k / yr
-270k
+9k
-7k

Break-even Age

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
28
29
$25k / yr
Never
38
39
$50k / yr
Never
59
Never

Return on Investment %

Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-166%
91%
76%
$50k / yr
-124%
4%
-3%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).

These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →

Education Impact

Advanced Degree Rate11.4%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.

Top Professions

Graphic designers

13.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$43,946
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,928|$62,960
openings
16,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.7%

Art and design workers

7.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$51,469
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$78,244|$58,240
openings
76,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.8%

Interior designers

4.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$51,469
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$64,311|$67,190
openings
7,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.7%

Management occupations

4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$99,593|$126,520
openings
1,081,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.2%

Artists and related workers

3.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,592
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$77,203|$99,760
openings
20,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.2%

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$30,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,084|$48,520
openings
113,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -3.7%

Elementary and middle school teachers

1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$36,440
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,770|$64,170
openings
127,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.4%

Retail salespersons

1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$17,793
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$34,000|$35,410
openings
520,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%

Marketing managers

1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$42,874
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$84,575|$166,790
openings
34,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.9%

Software developers

1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$82,532
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$123,525|$135,980
openings
95,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +10.2%

About this Data:

  • Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 22 to 27 (American Community Survey).
  • Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
  • Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2025–2035).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.

Program TitleCredential Level# CollegesMedian Earnings Range
design and applied arts.Undergrad Certificate249$18,438 - $104,151
design and applied arts.Associate's Degree393$17,141 - $53,464
design and applied arts.Bachelor's Degree543$21,626 - $138,588
design and applied arts.Post-bacc Certificate2Data N/A
design and applied arts.Master's Degree99$37,426 - $172,409
design and applied arts.Graduate Certificate3Data N/A