Graphic Communications at University of California-Santa Cruz

Starting at $25,358 puts UC Santa Cruz graphic communications graduates below the California median ($26,981) and at the national median—which means half of all programs produce higher earnings. More concerning is where Santa Cruz ranks among California's 18 programs: the 40th percentile. Top alternatives like Cal Poly SLO ($49,029) and even the Academy of Art University ($27,481) generate notably better first-year outcomes.

The debt picture offers a silver lining. At $20,714, Santa Cruz graduates carry about $6,000 less than the California median and roughly $8,300 less than typical for this field nationally. That lower debt load keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.82—manageable, though the modest starting salary means repayment will still require discipline. For context, the highest-earning programs carry similar or higher debt but offset it with salaries two to three times larger.

For a UC campus, these outcomes feel underwhelming. Santa Cruz's brand and network should theoretically open doors, but the data suggests this particular program doesn't deliver the premium you'd expect. If your child is committed to graphic communications and wants the UC experience, understand they're accepting below-average California earnings for the field. If career outcomes are the priority, Cal Poly SLO would be worth serious consideration despite potentially higher debt—the earnings difference more than compensates.