Design and Visual Communications: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Design and Visual Communications is a dynamic, practice-driven field centered on the strategic creation of visual content that informs, persuades, and engages diverse audiences. This program equips learners with the technical expertise and creative insight needed to craft compelling visual narratives across digital and traditional platforms, serving both commercial and cultural contexts.
- Graphic Design Fundamentals: Core principles of layout, typography, color theory, and visual hierarchy to create clear, impactful designs that guide user perception and behavior.
- Visual Identity Systems: Development of cohesive brand elements—including logos, color palettes, and style guides—that establish recognition and consistency across media.
- Digital Media Production: Hands-on training in industry-standard software for creating interactive content, web graphics, motion design, and responsive layouts optimized for digital consumption.
- Print and Packaging Design: Techniques for designing physical materials such as brochures, posters, labels, and product packaging, emphasizing function, aesthetics, and manufacturability.
- Design Thinking and User Experience: Application of human-centered methodologies to solve complex communication problems, ensuring designs meet audience needs and enhance usability.
- Visual Storytelling: Crafting narratives through imagery and composition to convey messages with emotional resonance and narrative clarity in advertising, editorial, and multimedia contexts.
Design and Visual Communications Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Design and Visual Communications Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Design and Visual Communications degrees, including Web and Digital Interface Designers, Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Commercial and Industrial Designers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 474,330 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Web and Digital Interface Designers 15-1255 | $98,090 | $47,840 - $192,180 | 111,400 | $47.16 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers 27-1021 | $79,450 | $49,390 - $134,840 | 30,250 | $38.20 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers 27-1027 | $66,280 | $35,990 - $129,420 | 10,850 | $31.87 |
| Designers, All Other 27-1029 | $66,220 | $36,530 - $131,950 | 9,680 | $31.84 |
| Graphic Designers 27-1024 | $61,300 | $37,600 - $103,030 | 214,260 | $29.47 |
Design and Visual Communications Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $51,477 in Wyoming to $97,713 in California—a 90% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and Hawaii. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 474,330 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Design and Visual Communications by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Design and Visual Communications programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Design and Visual Communications is found at Utah Valley University (UVU) (439 graduates), University of California (UCD), Davis (291 graduates), Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (212 graduates), Full Sail University (163 graduates), and Chattahoochee Technical College (148 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 5,151 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
439 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
291 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
212 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
| Full Sail University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
163 | Winter Park, Florida | Private | fullsail.edu |
| Chattahoochee Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
148 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
137 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
129 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Columbus State Community College (CSCC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
127 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | cscc.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
|
108 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
108 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | minneapolis.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Bachelor's
|
94 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
93 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
81 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Texas State University (TXST) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
79 | San Marcos, Texas | Public | txst.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
72 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
71 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Dallas College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
69 | Dallas, Texas | Public | dallascollege.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
|
68 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
65 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
63 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
|
58 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| College of DuPage (COD) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
57 | Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Public | cod.edu |
| Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
56 | Warner Robins, Georgia | Public | centralgatech.edu |
| Augusta Technical College (Augusta Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
53 | Augusta, Georgia | Public | augustatech.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
53 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Otis College of Art and Design |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Los Angeles, California | Private | otis.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
|
50 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| San Antonio College (SAC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
49 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| FIDM-Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) |
Associate's
|
47 | Los Angeles, California | Private | fidm.edu |
| Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) |
Bachelor's
|
47 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | scad.edu |
| SUNY Adirondack |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
47 | Queensbury, New York | Public | sunyacc.edu |
| Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
46 | Annandale, Virginia | Public | nvcc.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45 | New Britain, Connecticut | Public | ccsu.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
|
44 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
43 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| Farmingdale State College |
Bachelor's
|
42 | Farmingdale, New York | Public | farmingdale.edu |
| Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
41 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
| California State University (CSUMB) |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Seaside, California | Public | csumb.edu |
| Shoreline Community College |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
40 | Shoreline, Washington | Public | shoreline.edu |
| Kean University |
Bachelor's
|
39 | Union, New Jersey | Public | kean.edu |
| Texas State Technical College (TSTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
39 | Waco, Texas | Public | tstc.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
37 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) |
Associate's
|
36 | Conway, South Carolina | Public | hgtc.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Bowie State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Bowie, Maryland | Public | bowiestate.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
34 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Tidewater Community College (TCC) |
Associate's
|
34 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | tcc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| California College of the Arts (CCA) |
Master's
|
32 | San Francisco, California | Private | cca.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Chico, California | Public | csuchico.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| Community College of Vermont (CCV) |
Associate's
|
29 | Montpelier, Vermont | Public | ccv.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| The University of Tampa (UTampa) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Tampa, Florida | Private | ut.edu |
| Albany Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
28 | Albany, Georgia | Public | albanytech.edu |
| Angelina College |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
28 | Lufkin, Texas | Public | angelina.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Gainesville, Georgia | Public | laniertech.edu |
| Miami Ad School |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
26 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | miamiadschool.com |
| Highline College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
26 | Des Moines, Washington | Public | highline.edu |
| Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Clarkston, Georgia | Public | gptc.edu |
| Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center (EOC Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
26 | Choctaw, Oklahoma | Public | eoctech.edu |
| Northwest College of Art & Design (NCAD) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | ncad.edu |
| University of San Francisco (USF) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | San Francisco, California | Private | usfca.edu |
| SOWELA Technical Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Lake Charles, Louisiana | Public | sowela.edu |
| Radford University |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Radford, Virginia | Public | radford.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWGB) |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | uwgb.edu |
| Seton Hall University (SHU) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | South Orange, New Jersey | Private | shu.edu |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Millersville, Pennsylvania | Public | millersville.edu |
| Tulsa Technology Center (Tulsa Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
22 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Public | tulsatech.edu |
| George C Wallace State Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Hanceville, Alabama | Public | wallacestate.edu |
| Loyola University New Orleans (LOYNO) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | loyno.edu |
| Harford Community College (HCC) |
Associate's
|
20 | Bel Air, Maryland | Public | harford.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMBC) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umbc.edu |
| LIM College (LIM) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | New York, New York | Private | limcollege.edu |
| Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) |
Associate's
|
20 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Public | hacc.edu |
| Ensign College |
Other Award
|
20 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | ensign.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Guam Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
|
20 | Mangilao, Guam | Public | guamcc.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) |
Associate's
|
19 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | bhcc.edu |
| Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| University of Redlands |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Redlands, California | Private | redlands.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) |
Other Award
|
17 | Dixon, Illinois | Public | svcc.edu |
| Triton College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
17 | River Grove, Illinois | Public | triton.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Danville Community College (DCC) |
Other Award
|
17 | Danville, Virginia | Public | danville.edu |
| John C Calhoun State Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
16 | Tanner, Alabama | Public | calhoun.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Design and Visual Communications programs
How much can I earn with a Design and Visual Communications degree?
Salaries for Design and Visual Communications graduates vary by role and location. Web and Digital Interface Designers earn a median of $98,090 annually, while Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $80,190. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $97,713 compared to $51,477 in Wyoming. Approximately 474,330 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Design and Visual Communications programs?
Currently 257 accredited institutions offer Design and Visual Communications degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Utah Valley University (UVU) (439 graduates), University of California (UCD), Davis (291 graduates), and Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) (212 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Design and Visual Communications growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 5,263 in 2010 to 6,186 in 2023-24. This represents a 18% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Design and Visual Communications degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Web and Digital Interface Designers, Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, and Commercial and Industrial Designers. Related occupations employ approximately 474,330 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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