Graphic design is all around, from ads on television to posters, billboards and social media posts promoting products and services. If you’re interested in joining this dynamic field, it’s important to explore one key question: is a graphic design degree worth it?
“I do not think I can stress enough how useful being a graphic designer is for any industry,” said Scott Agnoli, adjunct faculty at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and a graphic designer and creative director with more than three decades of experience. “The need for visual communicators is so important now more than ever with the ever-growing technology screens we find ourselves looking at every day.”
So, is a graphic design degree right for you? The best way to decide is to explore the types of design degrees available and how they align with your personal and professional goals.
Understanding Graphic Design
The world of graphic design includes many unique career paths. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), graphic designers can work on everything from digital illustration, photo editing and logo design to the design of websites, book covers, brochures and product packaging.
Graphic designers also often work as part of a team, according to BLS, communicating with clients or project managers and collaborating with other marketing professionals.
Is It Good to Major in Graphic Design?
If you want a hands-on, creative job designing graphic art for businesses and organizations, then majoring in graphic design could be a good fit.
While a degree is not always required to get a job, BLS data shows that the typical entry-level education for graphic designers is a bachelor’s degree. According to Agnoli, the most successful designers are those who have completed professional training.
“The best visual communications are designed by trained graphic designers who have the ability to utilize design elements, including typography, to create universal designs for the world market,” Agnoli said. “Like any career, a degree gives you the rudimentary skills and ability to be a problem solver.”
Types of Graphic Design Degrees
The graphic design training you receive will depend on the type of degree you pursue. While courses can vary from program to program, most graphic design degrees help you build the same key skills.
According to Agnoli, these include:
- Branding
- Digital and print design
- Typography
- Visual communication
Some degree programs may also offer concentrations that can help you gain experience in a specific area of graphic design. SNHU, for example, offers two graphic design concentrations:
- User Experience Design: Create engaging and accessible user experiences for web and mobile applications.
- Web Design: Bring designs to life online by learning hands-on, technical web design skills. Learn more about what web design is.
There are also different degree levels to choose from when pursuing a graphic design credential, from a two-year associate degree in graphic design to a bachelor’s or master’s degree program.
Bachelor’s in Graphic Design
The degree you choose depends on your professional goals, but Agnoli said a four-year graphic design bachelor’s degree can give you the technical and collaborative skills needed to succeed in the field.
“I think you have to be a well-rounded individual to achieve your goals,” Agnoli said. “This means earning not only the skills specific to your discipline but also soft skills and cross-functional skills that can make you more attractive to an employer.”
Master’s in Graphic Design
If you want to focus on a specific niche of graphic design, such as web design, or hope to one day land a leadership role, a master’s degree in the field could give you a leg up.
Agnoli said a graphic design master’s degree can also come with some lesser-known benefits, which he experienced after earning a master’s degree while working in the field. (SNHU does not currently offer a master’s degree in graphic design.)
“Earning my master’s degree mid-career put me in touch with younger designers and stimulated my creativity by collaborating with individuals I may not have normally engaged with in a professional setting,” he said.
Is a College Degree Worth it for Graphic Design?
Studying graphic design can provide many benefits. Here are a few reasons a degree may be worth the investment:
Real-World Experience
Many graphic design degree programs include opportunities for hands-on projects and internships. These can help you build a professional portfolio and make key connections that will serve you well in your career, Agnoli said.
“Experience and mentorship are what can give a designer a differentiating skill set and value an employer seeks,” he said.
Career Growth Opportunities
Career opportunities in the graphic design field continue to grow and vary by industry. While traditional graphic design jobs are projected to grow 2% between 2023 and 2033, according to BLS, jobs in web development and digital design are projected to grow 8% over the same period.*
Lower Unemployment Rates
Stable employment is another potential benefit of earning a degree in graphic design. BLS data from 2023 shows that bachelor’s degree holders experienced just 2.2% unemployment.* Workers with a high school diploma, on the other hand, had unemployment rates of 3.9%.*
Salary Potential
A graphic design degree can also help you prepare for careers offering salaries that are higher than the national median for all occupations, BLS reported.*
According to BLS, graphic designers earned a median annual salary of $58,910 in 2023.* Web and digital interface designers earned a median annual wage of $98,540 in 2023, and web developers earned a median wage of $84,960 the same year, according to BLS data.*
Earning a degree, in general, can also lead to higher wages long term. Bachelor’s degree holders earned a median weekly income of $1,493 in 2023, compared to just $899 per week for workers with a high school diploma, according to BLS.*
Potential Jobs With a Graphic Design Degree
A graphic design degree can open doors to a variety of careers across many industries. According to Agnoli, these roles include:
- Art director
- Brand identity designer
- Freelance graphic designer or illustrator
- Motion graphics designer or packaging designer
- UI/UX designer or web designer
Your career opportunities and earning potential will vary depending on your specific role.
For example, art directors earned a median annual salary of $106,500 in 2023, BLS reported.* Jobs for these graphic design professionals are projected to grow 5% by 2033, according to BLS data.*
Motion graphics designers, such special effects artists and animators, earned a median annual income of $99,060 in 2023, BLS reported.* Jobs in this field are projected to grow 4% through 2033, BLS data showed.*
Read more: How to Become a Graphic Designer
Is It Hard to Find a Job As a Graphic Designer?
Your chances of landing a graphic design job you love can be influenced by your ideal career path, as well as your education and level of experience. But Agnoli said that one of the best things about graphic design is that it’s an in-demand skill set in just about every field.
“Any industry needing visual communication employs graphic designers,” he said. “From hotel chains to law firms, and movie studios to government agencies, everyone needs someone to design their communications.”
Get Started as a Graphic Designer
If you’ve decided to pursue a graphic design degree, it’s important to get clear on your goals before enrolling in a program. Once you know what career you want to pursue, find the program that will help you build the required skills. Then, Agnoli said, be vocal about what you hope to accomplish.
“There is a job out there for whatever you have a passion for and brings you the most enjoyment,” he said. “The important thing is to tell everyone you know what your goal is and what you want to do. You will be amazed at the connections those people you tell can make for you.”
*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.
Danielle Gagnon is a freelance writer focused on higher education. She started her career working as an education reporter for a daily newspaper in New Hampshire, where she reported on local schools and education policy. Gagnon served as the communications manager for a private school in Boston, MA before later starting her freelance writing career. Today, she continues to share her passion for education as a writer for Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
