Graphic Communications at DePaul University

DePaul's graphic communications program starts with a troubling first-year salary of just $19,178—significantly below both the national median ($25,330) and Illinois median ($24,941). This puts graduates in the bottom quarter of similar programs both statewide and nationally. With nearly $26,000 in debt, new graduates face immediate financial strain during that crucial first year when many are still finding their footing in the industry.

The trajectory improves dramatically, however. By year four, median earnings more than double to $41,537, substantially outpacing what graduates from competing Illinois programs like Columbia College Chicago earn. This 117% growth rate suggests the program may provide skills or connections that take time to translate into career advancement, or that graduates initially accept lower-paying entry positions that lead to better opportunities.

For parents, the question is whether your child can weather that difficult first year. The debt load isn't unusually high for the field, but servicing $26,000 in loans on a $19,000 salary creates real hardship—likely requiring parental support or side income. If your family can bridge that gap, the four-year outlook becomes competitive. But if your child needs to be financially independent immediately after graduation, this program's delayed payoff presents a significant risk compared to more stable career paths.