Best Graphic Communications Degrees in the US by ROI
Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
19
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$356,061
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$18,891
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Northcentral Technical College
Grad rate: 47.5% |
WI | -$168,594 | $35,160 | $15,897 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
York County Community College
Grad rate: 25.5% |
ME | -$200,288 | $33,402 | $14,164 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
California College of ASU
Grad rate: 48.1% |
CA | -$206,304 | $35,058 | $33,732 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Grad rate: 48.2% |
WI | -$224,066 | $32,357 | $15,603 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Southeast Technical College
Grad rate: 54.7% |
SD | -$252,360 | $31,470 | $20,880 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Grad rate: 57.8% |
PA | -$253,135 | $31,632 | $17,066 | $8,625 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Kapiolani Community College
Grad rate: 22.2% |
HI | -$255,144 | $30,399 | $11,562 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Houston Community College
Grad rate: 17.0% |
TX | -$287,350 | $28,839 | $12,065 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Western Iowa Tech Community College
Grad rate: 41.3% |
IA | -$330,000 | $26,930 | $14,300 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Orange County Community College
Grad rate: 22.4% |
NY | -$361,572 | $25,361 | $14,396 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
CUNY Hostos Community College
Grad rate: 19.0% |
NY | -$369,360 | $24,771 | $12,390 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Hawkeye Community College
Grad rate: 32.3% |
IA | -$373,730 | $24,820 | $15,065 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Austin Community College District
Grad rate: 16.1% |
TX | -$413,487 | $23,226 | $11,156 | $11,626 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Front Range Community College
Grad rate: 28.6% |
CO | -$414,035 | $24,003 | $18,087 | $13,275 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
Grad rate: 16.2% |
NM | -$460,942 | $20,207 | $12,541 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
Grad rate: 51.6% |
NM | -$477,720 | $20,207 | $20,930 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Ozarks Technical Community College
Grad rate: 31.2% |
MO | -$495,385 | $19,801 | $12,540 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Los Angeles Film School
Grad rate: 44.0% |
CA | -$582,500 | $16,807 | $39,320 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Delaware College of Art and Design
Grad rate: 41.3% |
DE | -$639,200 | $14,765 | $47,250 | N/A | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Graphic Communications Degrees by State
Browse Graphic Communications programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.