# Graphic Communications

> A program that generally prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the manufacture and distribution or transmission of graphic communications products. Includes instruction in the prepress, press, and postpress phases of production operations and processes such as offset lithography, flexography, gravure, letterpress, screen printing, foil stamping, digital imaging, and other reproduction methods.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/graphic-communications
- CIP code: 10.03 (Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services)
- Colleges offering it: 212 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 212 | $27,666 | $34,184 | $9,987 |
| Associate's | 201 | $27,462 | $38,274 | $10,742 |
| Bachelor's | 137 | $28,249 | $43,058 | $24,000 |
| Master's | 24 | $52,720 | $55,382 | $55,867 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 4 | $72,096 | not reported | $118,077 |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo-slo-360) | San Luis Obispo, CA | $79,432 | $17,000 |
| [Loyola Marymount University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/loyola-marymount-university-1550) | Los Angeles, CA | $76,522 | not reported |
| [Ringling College of Art and Design](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ringling-college-of-art-and-design-2233) | Sarasota, FL | $75,213 | $27,000 |
| [Brigham Young University-Provo](https://www.collegesref.com/college/brigham-young-university-provo-byu-utah-302) | Provo, UT | $73,941 | not reported |
| [University of Minnesota-Duluth](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-minnesota-duluth-2960) | Duluth, MN | $61,062 | $23,250 |
| [University of Wisconsin-Stout](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-wisconsin-stout-3091) | Menomonie, WI | $59,621 | $22,639 |
| [Arizona State University Campus Immersion](https://www.collegesref.com/college/arizona-state-university-campus-immersion-101) | Tempe, AZ | $57,618 | $18,500 |
| [Illinois State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/illinois-state-university-1264) | Normal, IL | $55,723 | $17,500 |
| [Rochester Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rochester-institute-of-technology-2250) | Rochester, NY | $55,122 | $26,250 |
| [Bowling Green State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/bowling-green-state-university-main-campus-290) | Bowling Green, OH | $52,388 | $26,000 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Special Effects Artists and Animators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/special-effects-artists-and-animators): $102,030 median pay
- [Desktop Publishers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/desktop-publishers): $55,290 median pay
- [Prepress Technicians and Workers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/prepress-technicians-and-workers): $48,690 median pay
- [Printing Press Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/printing-press-operators): $45,780 median pay
- [Etchers and Engravers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/etchers-and-engravers): $43,310 median pay
- [Data Entry Keyers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/data-entry-keyers): $41,340 median pay

## More in Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services

- [Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/audiovisual-communications-technologies-technicians): 224 colleges
- [Communications Technologies/Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/communications-technologies-technicians): 29 colleges
- Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other: 13 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/