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Field

Design and Digital Art

Graphic design, illustration, animation, and computer graphics — what the training costs, what graduates earn, and how many finish.

Data last updated

A designer’s desk with color swatch cards fanned out over a sketchbook of pencil drawings, beside a keyboard.
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Key figures

$48,893
Median earnings, four years after completing

Across 552 programs reporting

Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)

$25,048
Median federal loan debt at completion

Across 427 programs reporting

Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)

24,185
Awards conferred in a year

1,210 institutions in this field

Source: IPEDS, NCES (retrieved September 2026)

What’s inside this field

Programs grouped the way a student looks for them. A performance degree, a production degree and a music-technology degree are different courses with different outcomes; each group gathers every federal code a program of that kind is filed under.

Graphic Design & Visual Communication

1,143

programs →

Print & Graphic Communications

187

programs →

Animation & Motion Graphics

366

programs →

Illustration

129

programs →

Advertising & Commercial Art

288

programs →

Intermedia & Multimedia Art

67

programs →

Instructional Design & Ed-Tech

288

programs →

Design & Applied Arts, Other

123

programs →

How the federal data files these programs

The Department of Education groups programs by CIP family for statistics, not for choosing a degree. Every figure on this site is reported at that level, so each table names the family a program is filed under.

How they are delivered

124Fully online
38Online or on campus
256Hybrid
1,753On campus
72Not reported
Programs available online (162) →On-campus programs (1,753) →

Delivery is reported to IPEDS by each institution, program by program and credential by credential. “Fully online” means the program can be completed entirely at a distance. “Online or on campus” means the school offers it both ways. “Hybrid” means part of it is online and none of it entirely. Where IPEDS has no program-level answer, the Scorecard’s field-level flag is used and the row says so.

What it costs, by credential

Median debt and median earnings by credential — Design and Digital Art
Median debt at completionMedian earnings, 4 yrs after
$0$25k$50k$75kCertificateCertificate — median debt $11,571Certificate — median earnings $37,727$11,571$37,727AssociateAssociate — median debt $12,336Associate — median earnings $37,578$12,336$37,578Bachelor’sBachelor’s — median debt $26,000Bachelor’s — median earnings $49,803$26,000$49,803Master’sMaster’s — median debt $29,872Master’s — median earnings $69,930$29,872$69,930
Median debt and median earnings by credential — Design and Digital Art
FieldMedian debt at completionMedian earnings four years after completing
Certificate$11,571$37,727
Associate$12,336$37,578
Bachelor’s$26,000$49,803
Master’s$29,872$69,930

Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)

Tuition is the published annual in-state figure. Debt is the median federal loan balance students actually carry at completion — a truer measure of cost than sticker price, because it accounts for aid.

Median tuition, debt and earnings by credential level for Design and Digital Art
CredentialProgramsAnnual tuitionpublished, in-stateMedian graduate debtat completionMedian graduate earnings4 yrs after
Undergraduate certificate613$4,440$11,571$37,727
Associate degree552$4,386$12,336$37,578
Bachelor’s degree674$27,992$26,000$49,803
Master’s degree404$12,656$29,872$69,930

Programs with too few completers are suppressed by the Scorecard for privacy and are excluded from these medians.

Sources: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026); IPEDS, NCES (retrieved September 2026)

How we are paid: StudyCreative earns revenue when readers ask to be connected with a school. No school pays to appear in these figures, to change them, or to be left out of them. Full disclosure.

Every design and digital art program, plotted

One dot per program. Anything above the dashed line leaves graduates owing more in federal loans than they earn in a year. The spread inside a single field is wider than the gap between fields — which is why picking the program matters more than picking the subject.

Median graduate debt against median graduate earnings, Design and Digital Art
Public and private nonprofitPrivate for-profitDashed line: debt equals one year of earnings
$0$20k$40k$60k$80k$100k$120k$140k$0$40k$80k$120kCarnegie Mellon University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,500, earnings $138,588.Harvard University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $127,546.Liberty University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Master’s degree. Debt $30,991, earnings $112,935.California State University-Monterey Bay — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $14,540, earnings $104,220.Concordia University-Irvine — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $102,896.National University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $23,284, earnings $93,547.California State University-Fullerton — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $20,300, earnings $91,755.Long Island University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $31,250, earnings $91,452.University of Washington-Seattle Campus — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $12,250, earnings $89,193.University of Southern California — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,000, earnings $89,022.Northeastern University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,500, earnings $87,336.The New School — Fashion/Apparel Design, Master’s degree. Debt $42,587, earnings $86,473.Utah State University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $23,965, earnings $86,107.Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $25,888, earnings $83,710.University of Notre Dame — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,250, earnings $83,414.Pratt Institute-Main — Graphic Design, Master’s degree. Debt $123,755, earnings $82,883.University of North Texas — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $27,975, earnings $82,284.University of Georgia — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $31,831, earnings $79,901.California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo — Graphic Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,961, earnings $79,432.Northern Illinois University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $23,063, earnings $79,429.Purdue University Global — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $26,963, earnings $79,398.University of Central Florida — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $34,676, earnings $78,410.Chapman University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,823, earnings $78,121.Florida State University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $77,041.University of Maryland Global Campus — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $28,963, earnings $76,376.Aurora University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $20,505, earnings $76,260.Art Center College of Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $31,000, earnings $76,093.Boise State University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $25,650, earnings $75,451.Ringling College of Art and Design — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $75,213.George Washington University — Interior Design, Master’s degree. Debt $75,495, earnings $75,210.Wilmington University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $23,098, earnings $74,740.Concordia University-Chicago — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $22,899, earnings $74,446.Arizona State University Digital Immersion — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $33,942, earnings $74,398.University of West Georgia — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $21,320, earnings $74,243.Maryland Institute College of Art — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Master’s degree. Debt $39,905, earnings $73,348.Boston University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,000, earnings $72,809.University of Cincinnati-Main Campus — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,500, earnings $71,605.New Jersey City University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $41,000, earnings $71,597.Syracuse University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $71,527.Western Governors University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $7,989, earnings $71,469.Valdosta State University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $27,924, earnings $71,246.Kennesaw State University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $33,950, earnings $70,302.Saint Mary's University of Minnesota — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $69,960.Marymount University — Interior Design, Master’s degree. Debt $95,211, earnings $69,957.Arizona State University Campus Immersion — Fashion/Apparel Design, Master’s degree. Debt $60,449, earnings $69,930.Arizona State University Digital Immersion — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Master’s degree. Debt $60,449, earnings $69,930.The University of Texas at Austin — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,000, earnings $69,846.Western Washington University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,833, earnings $69,715.Washington State University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,604, earnings $69,224.Laguna College of Art and Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $68,934.Texas A & M University-College Station — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $30,780, earnings $68,705.Seattle Pacific University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $68,547.Ohio State University-Main Campus — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,694, earnings $68,151.Miami University-Oxford — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $67,981.Washington University in St Louis — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,089, earnings $67,771.Rhode Island School of Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $67,771.University of Delaware — Fashion/Apparel Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $67,742.The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $19,000, earnings $67,562.Michigan State University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $24,608, earnings $67,489.The New School — Fashion/Apparel Design, Associate degree. Debt $14,750, earnings $66,896.Lamar University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $66,550.California State University-Long Beach — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $16,500, earnings $66,435.Drexel University — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $66,294.University of California-Los Angeles — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,000, earnings $66,259.University of Wisconsin-Madison — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,875, earnings $65,874.Savannah College of Art and Design — Illustration, Master’s degree. Debt $82,741, earnings $65,866.University of Arkansas — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,750, earnings $65,780.University of Florida — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,839, earnings $65,656.University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,250, earnings $65,646.University of Oregon — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $28,000, earnings $65,573.University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,178, earnings $65,186.SUNY Oneonta — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $19,261, earnings $65,141.Fort Hays State University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $24,840, earnings $64,964.Georgia Southern University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $37,427, earnings $64,747.University of Houston — Industrial and Product Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,000, earnings $64,612.Endicott College — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $64,559.Trevecca Nazarene University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $24,821, earnings $64,048.St. John's University-New York — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $63,659.Emmanuel College — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $63,616.University of Kentucky — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,250, earnings $62,966.University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,500, earnings $62,414.Weber State University — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $62,281.University of California-Davis — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $14,924, earnings $62,209.Woodbury University — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $62,092.Wayne State University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $40,500, earnings $61,791.Metropolitan State University of Denver — Industrial and Product Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $28,500, earnings $61,654.Auburn University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,125, earnings $61,609.Texas State University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,000, earnings $61,539.Quinnipiac University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $61,419.North Carolina State University at Raleigh — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,500, earnings $61,382.College for Creative Studies — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $61,222.Fashion Institute of Technology — Fashion/Apparel Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,033, earnings $60,882.Temple University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $60,782.Jacksonville State University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $31,507, earnings $60,576.The University of Alabama — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $60,546.Oregon State University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,500, earnings $60,434.Suffolk University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $60,159.University of West Alabama — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $27,333, earnings $60,086.Pratt Institute-Main — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $59,792.Thomas Jefferson University — Fashion/Apparel Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $59,731.San Francisco State University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,000, earnings $59,678.Arizona State University Campus Immersion — Fashion/Apparel Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,702, earnings $59,641.Arizona State University Digital Immersion — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,702, earnings $59,641.Susquehanna University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $59,551.University of Kansas — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $59,441.California College of the Arts — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $59,238.University of Illinois Chicago — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,881, earnings $59,188.Purdue University-Main Campus — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,500, earnings $58,917.DePaul University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Master’s degree. Debt $53,300, earnings $58,803.University of Maryland Global Campus — Graphic Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,971, earnings $58,759.Western Michigan University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $58,634.Belmont University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $12,500, earnings $58,314.Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,625, earnings $58,105.Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,625, earnings $58,105.University of North Texas — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,269, earnings $57,753.University of Wisconsin-Stout — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $57,718.California College of the Arts — Fine/Studio Arts, General, Master’s degree. Debt $51,870, earnings $57,717.Arizona State University Campus Immersion — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,964, earnings $57,618.Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $57,313.Central Connecticut State University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,500, earnings $57,214.North Central College — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,000, earnings $57,192.Sam Houston State University — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $29,000, earnings $57,019.Oklahoma Christian University — Commercial and Advertising Art, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $56,958.The New School — Fashion/Apparel Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $56,838.Kean University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,004, earnings $56,666.Kent State University at Kent — Fashion/Apparel Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $56,540.Montclair State University — Fashion/Apparel Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,375, earnings $56,176.Portland State University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,100, earnings $56,158.Otis College of Art and Design — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $55,891.Radford University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $55,856.California State Polytechnic University-Pomona — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,825, earnings $55,744.Utah Valley University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $12,500, earnings $55,728.West Virginia University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $55,669.Marymount University — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,750, earnings $55,646.Coastal Carolina University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $27,717, earnings $55,622.Liberty University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $34,166, earnings $55,451.Stevenson University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $55,419.Marist College — Intermedia/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,437, earnings $55,296.DePaul University — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $55,213.Rochester Institute of Technology — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $55,122.University of South Florida — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,000, earnings $54,770.Bemidji State University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,908, earnings $54,642.Indiana University-Bloomington — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $54,630.University of Central Missouri — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $20,250, earnings $54,579.Champlain College — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,870, earnings $54,561.Saint Edward's University — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $54,297.Bowling Green State University-Main Campus — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $54,274.Central Michigan University — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,500, earnings $54,254.Winthrop University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,917, earnings $54,194.Walla Walla University — Industrial and Product Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $54,035.University of Central Oklahoma — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,875, earnings $53,927.Farmingdale State College — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $17,250, earnings $53,896.California State University-Sacramento — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,750, earnings $53,871.Pennsylvania College of Technology — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $53,796.Cornish College of the Arts — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $53,773.Virginia Commonwealth University — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,250, earnings $53,575.Appalachian State University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,435, earnings $53,543.Ball State University — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,000, earnings $53,514.Georgia Southern University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,750, earnings $53,396.University of Maryland-Baltimore County — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,250, earnings $53,363.Kutztown University of Pennsylvania — Commercial and Advertising Art, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $53,312.Michigan State University — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,997, earnings $53,250.Seattle University — Commercial and Advertising Art, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,084, earnings $53,117.Brigham Young University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $12,065, earnings $52,929.Queens University of Charlotte — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $52,870.University of Minnesota-Duluth — Commercial and Advertising Art, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,275, earnings $52,727.Iowa State University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,581, earnings $52,671.South Dakota State University — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $52,630.CUNY New York City College of Technology — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $8,832, earnings $52,562.Maryville University of Saint Louis — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $52,185.Rochester Institute of Technology — Industrial and Product Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,646, earnings $52,043.Savannah College of Art and Design — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Master’s degree. Debt $99,295, earnings $51,962.University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $51,857.Maryland Institute College of Art — Intermedia/Multimedia, Master’s degree. Debt $98,610, earnings $51,820.Cedarville University — Industrial and Product Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,000, earnings $51,813.University of Hartford — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $51,607.Seton Hall University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,500, earnings $51,509.Russell Sage College — Commercial and Advertising Art, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,250, earnings $51,485.University of Nevada-Las Vegas — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,929, earnings $51,437.Southern New Hampshire University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,965, earnings $51,370.Park University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $22,955, earnings $51,148.The College of New Jersey — Art/Art Studies, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $51,033.Salt Lake Community College — Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design, Associate degree. Debt $8,000, earnings $50,857.Missouri State University-Springfield — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,750, earnings $50,814.Portland Community College — Commercial and Advertising Art, Associate degree. Debt $17,506, earnings $50,811.Century College — Interior Design, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $12,500, earnings $50,687.Ferris State University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,500, earnings $50,658.Keene State College — Commercial and Advertising Art, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,250, earnings $50,507.University of Akron Main Campus — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,937, earnings $50,484.College of DuPage — Design and Visual Communications, General, Associate degree. Debt $11,750, earnings $50,264.Mount Mary University — Fashion/Apparel Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,500, earnings $49,881.Abilene Christian University — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,875, earnings $49,818.University of San Francisco — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $49,788.Arkansas Tech University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $19,230, earnings $49,760.Southern Arkansas University Main Campus — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $17,362, earnings $49,718.Ohio University-Main Campus — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $49,553.Waukesha County Technical College — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $15,554, earnings $49,509.University of Idaho — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,958, earnings $49,188.Minnesota State University Moorhead — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,100, earnings $48,976.Minneapolis Community and Technical College — Design and Visual Communications, General, Associate degree. Debt $12,000, earnings $48,952.Northern Arizona University — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,333, earnings $48,764.California State University-Monterey Bay — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $13,902, earnings $48,639.Bellevue University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,834, earnings $48,632.Columbia College Chicago — Fashion/Apparel Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,500, earnings $48,601.University of the Incarnate Word — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $48,472.Carthage College — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $48,431.Columbus College of Art & Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $48,204.Park University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,000, earnings $48,105.Johnson County Community College — Interior Design, Associate degree. Debt $9,341, earnings $48,084.Ringling College of Art and Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $47,937.Dominican University — Commercial and Advertising Art, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,344, earnings $47,930.Liberty University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,998, earnings $47,797.University of Northern Iowa — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,965, earnings $47,736.Madison Area Technical College — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $12,120, earnings $47,515.California Baptist University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $47,494.George Mason University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,985, earnings $47,440.Oakland University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $47,432.Carroll University — Graphic Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $47,327.University of Colorado Boulder — Fine/Studio Arts, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,500, earnings $47,297.John Brown University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,500, earnings $47,248.Cleveland Institute of Art — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $47,147.Flagler College — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,250, earnings $46,921.Cleveland State University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,875, earnings $46,635.University of Wisconsin-Green Bay — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,186, earnings $46,376.North Carolina A & T State University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $28,500, earnings $46,077.Longwood University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,753, earnings $46,040.Savannah College of Art and Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,200, earnings $45,923.Massachusetts College of Art and Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,537, earnings $45,716.Maryland Institute College of Art — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,842, earnings $45,436.Mercyhurst University — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,836, earnings $45,411.Lesley University — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,333, earnings $45,099.Fashion Institute of Technology — Fashion/Apparel Design, Associate degree. Debt $11,640, earnings $45,096.Ferris State University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Associate degree. Debt $11,678, earnings $45,033.DePaul University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $45,028.University of Oregon — Intermedia/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $44,958.State University of New York at Oswego — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $44,939.Arapahoe Community College — Interior Design, Associate degree. Debt $15,125, earnings $44,888.University of Maine — Fine/Studio Arts, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $28,900, earnings $44,876.CUNY Queens College — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $14,250, earnings $44,835.University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee — Art/Art Studies, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $44,788.California State University-Chico — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,227, earnings $44,629.William Woods University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $19,491, earnings $44,336.New England Institute of Technology — Game and Interactive Media Design, Associate degree. Debt $12,000, earnings $44,313.Anderson University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $44,221.Alexandria Technical & Community College — Commercial and Advertising Art, Associate degree. Debt $12,000, earnings $44,165.Ferris State University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $44,116.University of Northern Iowa — Graphic Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,184, earnings $44,066.California College of the Arts — Fine/Studio Arts, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $44,012.Columbia College Chicago — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,000, earnings $43,970.Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $43,944.New England Institute of Technology — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $28,785, earnings $43,886.Minneapolis College of Art and Design — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $43,745.Robert Morris University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $43,698.Seattle Central College — Commercial and Advertising Art, Associate degree. Debt $11,500, earnings $43,416.SUNY at Fredonia — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,500, earnings $43,087.Kansas City Art Institute — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $43,070.Savannah College of Art and Design — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,300, earnings $43,058.Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus — Intermedia/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,141, earnings $43,017.Fitchburg State University — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $42,946.University of Central Missouri — Commercial and Advertising Art, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,076, earnings $42,778.Nazareth University — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,250, earnings $42,615.Sam Houston State University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,500, earnings $42,579.Boise State University — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,618, earnings $42,527.California State University-San Bernardino — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $15,669, earnings $42,468.Metropolitan Community College Area — Commercial and Advertising Art, Associate degree. Debt $8,831, earnings $42,343.Art Academy of Cincinnati — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $42,224.Columbia College Chicago — Fine/Studio Arts, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $42,176.Spokane Falls Community College — Commercial and Advertising Art, Associate degree. Debt $11,756, earnings $42,113.Grand View University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,502, earnings $41,944.Charleston Southern University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $41,925.Saginaw Valley State University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,286, earnings $41,864.Wake Technical Community College — Game and Interactive Media Design, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $10,084, earnings $41,857.Front Range Community College — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Associate degree. Debt $13,275, earnings $41,643.Austin Community College District — Design and Visual Communications, General, Associate degree. Debt $19,939, earnings $41,552.Louisiana Tech University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,868, earnings $41,534.East Tennessee State University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $18,250, earnings $41,449.Upper Iowa University — Commercial and Advertising Art, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $20,500, earnings $41,109.East Tennessee State University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,250, earnings $41,074.Massachusetts College of Art and Design — Painting, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,513, earnings $40,999.Pennsylvania Western University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $40,854.Salt Lake Community College — Interior Design, Associate degree. Debt $10,088, earnings $40,740.University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $40,619.University of Wisconsin-Parkside — Industrial and Product Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,276, earnings $40,410.Webster University — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $24,500, earnings $40,397.Missouri State University-Springfield — Art/Art Studies, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,200, earnings $40,386.Coastal Carolina University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,000, earnings $40,150.Minneapolis College of Art and Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,950, earnings $39,467.Maine College of Art & Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $39,443.Monroe Community College — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $8,000, earnings $39,328.Laguna College of Art and Design — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $38,850.Moore College of Art and Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $38,831.California State University-Fresno — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,735, earnings $38,397.Western Technical College — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $11,479, earnings $38,303.Pennsylvania College of Art and Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $38,275.University of the Arts — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $37,977.Bradley University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $37,657.Atlantic University — Graphic Design, Master’s degree. Debt $16,220, earnings $37,426.Mohawk Valley Community College — Illustration, Associate degree. Debt $9,534, earnings $37,280.Macomb Community College — Commercial and Advertising Art, Associate degree. Debt $9,850, earnings $37,216.Sinclair Community College — Commercial and Advertising Art, Associate degree. Debt $11,000, earnings $37,187.Suffolk County Community College — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $8,906, earnings $37,147.University of Cincinnati-Main Campus — Fine/Studio Arts, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $28,000, earnings $37,025.Des Moines Area Community College — Commercial and Advertising Art, Associate degree. Debt $13,000, earnings $36,996.Wichita State University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $23,200, earnings $36,723.Chattanooga State Community College — Commercial and Advertising Art, Associate degree. Debt $9,288, earnings $36,691.Lynn University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $12,997, earnings $36,590.State University of New York at Oswego — Fine/Studio Arts, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $19,000, earnings $36,511.Century College — Interior Design, Associate degree. Debt $13,000, earnings $35,917.University of Hawaii at Manoa — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $21,125, earnings $35,830.Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,125, earnings $35,817.SUNY College of Technology at Alfred — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $35,521.Harrisburg Area Community College — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $16,417, earnings $35,131.Pratt Institute-Main — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,000, earnings $35,100.Roosevelt University — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $13,417, earnings $35,066.Huntington University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $34,787.Bryant & Stratton College-Syracuse North — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $15,417, earnings $34,606.Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $15,417, earnings $34,606.Bryant & Stratton College-Greece — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $15,417, earnings $34,606.Maryland Institute College of Art — Intermedia/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,677, earnings $34,283.Front Range Community College — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $9,500, earnings $34,184.College for Creative Studies — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $34,003.Gateway Technical College — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $14,966, earnings $33,848.New Mexico State University-Main Campus — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,500, earnings $33,612.Guilford Technical Community College — Commercial and Advertising Art, Associate degree. Debt $11,708, earnings $33,521.Ivy Tech Community College — Design and Visual Communications, General, Associate degree. Debt $12,336, earnings $33,515.Montserrat College of Art — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $33,496.University of Toledo — Intermedia/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $22,338, earnings $33,409.Columbus College of Art & Design — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $33,389.Arkansas Tech University — Game and Interactive Media Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $28,950, earnings $32,960.Texas State Technical College — Design and Visual Communications, General, Associate degree. Debt $12,960, earnings $32,604.Lasell University — Fashion/Apparel Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $32,379.University of New Haven — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $31,975.California College of the Arts — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,899, earnings $31,068.Cuyahoga Community College District — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $6,000, earnings $30,936.Kansas City Art Institute — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $30,798.Delgado Community College — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $24,782, earnings $30,671.Regent University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,750, earnings $29,565.Roosevelt University — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $25,048, earnings $29,529.University of South Alabama — Art/Art Studies, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $30,066, earnings $29,506.Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale — Design and Visual Communications, General, Associate degree. Debt $24,486, earnings $29,280.Tidewater Community College — Interior Design, Associate degree. Debt $11,348, earnings $28,976.California Institute of the Arts — Fine/Studio Arts, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $28,617.Pratt Institute-Main — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $12,000, earnings $26,557.Augusta University — Intermedia/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,741, earnings $25,770.Atlantic University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $5,440, earnings $23,042.Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $11,250, earnings $22,763.EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc-San Juan — Interior Design, Associate degree. Debt $7,900, earnings $20,282.Capella University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $33,324, earnings $80,916.Grand Canyon University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $22,495, earnings $75,799.Full Sail University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $35,077, earnings $69,641.Ashford University — Educational/Instructional Technology, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $28,109, earnings $68,414.Academy of Art University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Master’s degree. Debt $83,224, earnings $64,026.American InterContinental University-Atlanta — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $33,474, earnings $60,586.American InterContinental University System — Educational/Instructional Technology, Master’s degree. Debt $33,474, earnings $60,586.Full Sail University — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Master’s degree. Debt $40,077, earnings $60,023.LIM College — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $26,915, earnings $58,061.Academy of Art University — Illustration, Master’s degree. Debt $93,267, earnings $57,636.FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising — Fashion/Apparel Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $29,499, earnings $53,575.Academy of Art University — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $31,125, earnings $50,833.University of Silicon Valley — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $31,000, earnings $49,968.FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising — Fashion/Apparel Design, Associate degree. Debt $12,000, earnings $46,866.Rasmussen University-Florida — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $29,332, earnings $46,610.Rasmussen University-Minnesota — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $29,332, earnings $46,610.Rasmussen University-North Dakota — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $29,332, earnings $46,610.Rasmussen University-Illinois — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $29,332, earnings $46,610.Rasmussen University-Wisconsin — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $29,332, earnings $46,610.Rasmussen University-Kansas — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $29,332, earnings $46,610.DigiPen Institute of Technology — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $45,571.Full Sail University — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $36,827, earnings $44,962.Berkeley College-Woodland Park — Interior Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $29,125, earnings $44,538.Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $31,750, earnings $41,617.Academy of Art University — Illustration, Associate degree. Debt $31,937, earnings $40,595.American Academy of Art College — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $30,125, earnings $39,542.The Modern College of Design — Commercial and Advertising Art, Associate degree. Debt $5,500, earnings $39,430.Full Sail University — Design and Applied Arts, Other, Associate degree. Debt $24,392, earnings $38,716.Academy of Art University — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $31,500, earnings $38,583.Full Sail University — Intermedia/Multimedia, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $38,124.Sessions College for Professional Design — Graphic Design, Undergraduate certificate. Debt $11,571, earnings $37,727.Rasmussen University-Florida — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $23,820, earnings $37,689.Rasmussen University-Minnesota — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $23,820, earnings $37,689.Rasmussen University-North Dakota — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $23,820, earnings $37,689.Rasmussen University-Illinois — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $23,820, earnings $37,689.Rasmussen University-Wisconsin — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $23,820, earnings $37,689.Rasmussen University-Kansas — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $23,820, earnings $37,689.Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $28,115, earnings $37,239.Northwest College of Art & Design — Design and Visual Communications, General, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $30,734, earnings $35,885.Nossi College of Art and Design — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $42,250, earnings $35,075.Los Angeles Film School — Graphic Design, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $46,750, earnings $34,769.International Business College-Indianapolis — Graphic Design, Associate degree. Debt $10,143, earnings $34,242.Los Angeles Film School — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $33,250, earnings $34,138.School of Visual Arts — Illustration, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $33,288.Full Sail University — Intermedia/Multimedia, Associate degree. Debt $26,499, earnings $32,703.School of Visual Arts — Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects, Bachelor’s degree. Debt $27,000, earnings $30,125.Median graduate earnings, four years after completingMedian graduate debt

393 programs reporting both figures. 12 of the plotted programs sit above the dashed line, where graduates owe more than they earn in a year. 46 are private for-profit.

Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)

Individual programs

The last column is debt as a share of first-reported earnings. Above 100% means graduates owe more than they make in a year.

Debt and earnings for individual Design and Digital Art programs
InstitutionFieldand deliveryMedian graduate debtMedian graduate earnings4 yrs afterDebt to earnings
Carnegie Mellon UniversityBachelor’s degree · PADesign and Visual Communications, GeneralBachelor’s degree · On campus$24,500$138,58818%
Harvard UniversityMaster’s degree · MAEducational/Instructional TechnologyMaster’s degree · On campus$20,500$127,54616%
Liberty UniversityMaster’s degree · VADesign and Visual Communications, GeneralMaster’s degree · Hybrid$30,991$112,93527%
California State University-Monterey BayMaster’s degree · CAEducational/Instructional TechnologyMaster’s degree · Fully online$14,540$104,22014%
Concordia University-IrvineMaster’s degree · CAEducational/Instructional TechnologyMaster’s degree · Hybrid$20,500$102,89620%
National UniversityMaster’s degree · CAEducational/Instructional TechnologyMaster’s degree · Hybrid$23,284$93,54725%
California State University-FullertonMaster’s degree · CAEducational/Instructional TechnologyMaster’s degree · Hybrid$20,300$91,75522%
Long Island UniversityMaster’s degree · NYEducational/Instructional TechnologyMaster’s degree · On campus$31,250$91,45234%

Source: College Scorecard, Field of Study (retrieved September 2026)

Find a program by field, delivery and credential →Best value Design and Digital Art programs →Full cost breakdown →

Paths in

Routes into Design and Digital Art, with typical length
RouteTypical lengthWho it suits
Bachelor’s degree4 yearsAgency and in-house hiring still screens on it
Associate degree2 yearsProduction design and studio support roles
Certificate3–12 monthsAdding UX or motion to an existing practice
Self-taughtOpenPortfolio decides; the credential rarely does

Source: StudyCreative editorial — route framing is our own; costs and earnings above are federal

What the work actually is

Design is the most hireable of the six fields and the one where the portfolio matters most and the diploma least. Junior designers are salaried, agencies and in-house teams both hire them, and the interview is a review of the work. Illustration and animation lean much further toward freelance, with rates set per piece or per second of finished animation, and with more competition for less steady income.

A program is worth its cost when it produces a portfolio that gets interviews and teaches the client-facing half of the job: briefs, revisions, presenting to people who did not ask for your opinion. It is not worth it when the same portfolio could have been built with the software and a year of practice. The earnings figure on this page averages salaried design with freelance illustration, so look up the specific program.

Where these graduates work

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage and employment figures for the occupations this field feeds into. We link rather than quote, because occupational averages cover everyone in a role — not only people who took this route.

Read the numbers and still want to go? Tell us the format and timeline that fit, and we’ll match you to programs.

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