General
Commercial Art And Graphic Design
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Commercial Art And Graphic Design.
Entry Level Salary
$39,568
Median Salary
$70,805
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
27.5%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,832,200
Entry (Early)
$39,568
Median (Prime)
$70,805
High (Prime)
$70,000
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 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
-99k
+169k
+162k
$25k / yr
-189k
+79k
+72k
$50k / yr
-279k
-11k
-18k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
29
29
$25k / yr
Never
40
40
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-174%
72%
66%
$50k / yr
-128%
-5%
-8%
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).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate11.2%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Graphic designers
13.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$42,324
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,269|$61,300
openings
20,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.1%
Art and design workers
7.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$49,555
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,534|$53,180
openings
84,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.3%
Interior designers
4.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,648
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,903|$63,490
openings
7,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.2%
Management occupations
4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$51,548
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$97,878|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Artists and related workers
3.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,195
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,692|$99,060
openings
21,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.7%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$31,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,269|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Retail salespersons
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$14,347
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$31,857|$34,580
openings
555,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.5%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,400
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$54,024|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Marketing managers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$39,568
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$78,908|$161,030
openings
34,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.6%
Software developers
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$78,094
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$115,629|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
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 Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| design and applied arts. | Undergrad Certificate | 276 | $18,193 - $104,151 |
| design and applied arts. | Associate's Degree | 425 | $10,141 - $66,896 |
| design and applied arts. | Bachelor's Degree | 561 | $21,626 - $138,588 |
| design and applied arts. | Post-bacc Certificate | 3 | Data N/A |
| design and applied arts. | Master's Degree | 113 | $37,426 - $144,324 |
| design and applied arts. | Graduate Certificate | 8 | Data N/A |
| design and applied arts. | Level 99 | 6 | $70,550 - $70,550 |