Analysis
Art Center's graphic communications graduates earn $67,010 in their first year—more than double the national median of $25,330 and ranking in the 95th percentile both nationally and within California. To put that in perspective, it's $18,000 above Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, the next-highest California program. This isn't just the best outcome for this degree; it's in a completely different league.
The debt picture looks equally strong. At $35,593, borrowers owe less than the typical graphic communications graduate nationally ($27,000), yet earn far more. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about six months of gross earnings—an unusually favorable position for a creative field where debt often outpaces starting salaries.
The major caveat: these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes vary more than at larger programs. Art Center's focused approach and industry connections in Southern California's design hub clearly benefit those who complete the program. For families comfortable with the inherent variability of small sample data, this represents the strongest earnings outcome available for this degree in California, with manageable debt to boot.
Where Art Center College of Design Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all graphic communications bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Art Center College of Design graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Graphic Communications bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (18 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Art Center College of DesignPasadena | $51,640 | $67,010 | — | $35,593 | 0.53 |
 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo | $11,075 | $49,029 | $67,063 | $17,961 | 0.37 |
 University of Silicon ValleySan Jose | $22,480 | $33,727 | $50,601 | $31,000 | 0.92 |
 Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco | $28,024 | $27,481 | $51,035 | $36,717 | 1.34 |
 California College of the ArtsSan Francisco | $57,946 | $26,481 | $46,179 | $27,000 | 1.02 |
 University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz | $14,560 | $25,358 | — | $20,714 | 0.82 |
| National Median | — | $25,330 | — | $27,000 | 1.07 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with graphic communications graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Art Center College of Design, approximately 25% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 25 graduates with reported earnings and 26 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.