Advertising and Commercial Art: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for creative professionals seeking to master visual storytelling in commercial contexts, this program equips students with the technical and conceptual skills needed to develop compelling, audience-focused visual content. Through a blend of traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation, learners explore the strategic application of art in advertising, branding, and media production.
- Concept Design: Developing original visual ideas that align with marketing goals and audience expectations, transforming abstract messages into tangible, impactful imagery.
- Layout and Composition: Structuring visual elements to guide the viewer’s eye, ensuring clarity, balance, and effective communication across print and digital platforms.
- Paste-Up Techniques: Assembling final artwork from individual components using precision methods, bridging the gap between digital design and physical production.
- Print Production Methods: Gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard processes including silkscreen, lithography, offset printing, and engraving to understand material and technical constraints.
- Illustration and Drawing: Building foundational skills in hand-drawn and digital illustration, with emphasis on storytelling, character development, and stylistic expression.
- Cartooning and Visual Narrative: Mastering techniques for creating engaging, sequential visual content that communicates ideas with humor, clarity, and emotional resonance.
- Painting and Mixed Media: Exploring expressive techniques using traditional and hybrid materials to expand creative possibilities in commercial art.
- Computer Graphics and Digital Tools: Utilizing advanced software for vector and raster design, image editing, and interactive media creation to produce professional-grade visual assets.
Advertising and Commercial Art Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Advertising and Commercial Art Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Advertising and Commercial Art degrees, including Commercial and Industrial Designers, Artists and Related Workers, All Other and Graphic 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 251,880 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Industrial Designers 27-1021 | $79,450 | $49,390 - $134,840 | 30,250 | $38.20 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other 27-1019 | $72,760 | $33,720 - $133,180 | 7,370 | $34.98 |
| Graphic Designers 27-1024 | $61,300 | $37,600 - $103,030 | 214,260 | $29.47 |
Advertising and Commercial Art Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $36,870 in West Virginia to $90,710 in District of Columbia—a 146% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Washington, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 251,880 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 Advertising and Commercial Art by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Advertising and Commercial Art 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 Advertising and Commercial Art is found at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (257 graduates), Alamance Community College (ACC) (183 graduates), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (120 graduates), Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) (103 graduates), and Trident Technical College (TTC) (87 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,741 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
257 | New York, New York | Public | fitnyc.edu |
| Alamance Community College (ACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
183 | Graham, North Carolina | Public | alamancecc.edu |
| Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
120 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | cpcc.edu |
| Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
103 | McKinney, Texas | Public | collin.edu |
| Trident Technical College (TTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
87 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | tridenttech.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
80 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Mitchell Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
72 | Statesville, North Carolina | Public | mitchellcc.edu |
| Central Community College (CCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
60 | Grand Island, Nebraska | Public | cccneb.edu |
| San Jacinto Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
60 | Pasadena, Texas | Public | sanjac.edu |
| CUNY Kingsborough Community College (KCC) |
Associate's
|
56 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | kbcc.cuny.edu |
| Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (KU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
55 | Kutztown, Pennsylvania | Public | kutztown.edu |
| South Plains College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
54 | Levelland, Texas | Public | southplainscollege.edu |
| El Paso Community College (EPCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51 | El Paso, Texas | Public | epcc.edu |
| St Charles Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
49 | Cottleville, Missouri | Public | stchas.edu |
| Montgomery College (MC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
46 | Rockville, Maryland | Public | montgomerycollege.edu |
| Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
42 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
| The Modern College of Design |
Associate's
|
42 | Kettering, Ohio | Private | themodern.edu |
| Seattle Central College |
Associate's
|
41 | Seattle, Washington | Public | seattlecentral.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Associate's
|
40 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College Area (MCC) |
Associate's
|
37 | Omaha, Nebraska | Public | mccneb.edu |
| Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
32 | El Reno, Oklahoma | Public | cvtech.edu |
| Columbus College of Art & Design (CCAD) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | ccad.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
31 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
| Prince George's Community College (PGCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
30 | Largo, Maryland | Public | pgcc.edu |
| Mercer County Community College (MCCC) |
Associate's
|
29 | West Windsor, New Jersey | Public | mccc.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Bergen Community College (BCC) |
Associate's
|
27 | Paramus, New Jersey | Public | bergen.edu |
| Blinn College District |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Brenham, Texas | Public | blinn.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMD) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | d.umn.edu |
| Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Jamestown, North Carolina | Public | gtcc.edu |
| Chattanooga State Community College |
Associate's
|
26 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Public | chattanoogastate.edu |
| Moore Norman Technology Center (MNTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
25 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | mntc.edu |
| Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | ccbcmd.edu |
| Middlesex Community College (MCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Bedford, Massachusetts | Public | middlesex.mass.edu |
| Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
22 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | occc.edu |
| Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
21 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lattc.edu |
| Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) |
Associate's
|
21 | Hickory, North Carolina | Public | cvcc.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| Keene State College (KSC) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Keene, New Hampshire | Public | keene.edu |
| Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) |
Associate's
|
19 | Spokane, Washington | Public | sfcc.spokane.edu |
| Miami Ad School |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
18 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | miamiadschool.com |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) |
Other Award
|
18 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | faytechcc.edu |
| Russell Sage College |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Troy, New York | Private | sage.edu |
| Drake University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Des Moines, Iowa | Private | drake.edu |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC) |
Associate's
|
16 | Alexandria, Minnesota | Public | alextech.edu |
| Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Associate's
|
16 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
| Bismarck State College (BSC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
16 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Public | bismarckstate.edu |
| Oklahoma Christian University (OC) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Private | oc.edu |
| Central Technology Center |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Drumright, Oklahoma | Public | centraltech.edu |
| Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
16 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | mybrcc.edu |
| St Clair County Community College (SC4) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Port Huron, Michigan | Public | sc4.edu |
| Lane Community College |
Associate's
|
15 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | lanecc.edu |
| Bucks County Community College |
Associate's
|
15 | Newtown, Pennsylvania | Public | bucks.edu |
| Delaware County Community College (DCCC) |
Associate's
|
15 | Media, Pennsylvania | Public | dccc.edu |
| Upper Iowa University (UIU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Fayette, Iowa | Private | uiu.edu |
| Isothermal Community College (ICC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Spindale, North Carolina | Public | isothermal.edu |
| University of Cincinnati |
Associate's
|
14 | Blue Ash, Ohio | Public | ucblueash.edu |
| Southwest Tennessee Community College |
Associate's
|
14 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | southwest.tn.edu |
| Lawson State Community College (LSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
13 | Birmingham, Alabama | Public | lawsonstate.edu |
| University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
| Randolph Community College (RCC) |
Other Award
|
13 | Asheboro, North Carolina | Public | randolph.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| Palomar College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | San Marcos, California | Public | www2.palomar.edu |
| South Suburban College (SSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | South Holland, Illinois | Public | ssc.edu |
| San Juan College (SJC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Farmington, New Mexico | Public | sanjuancollege.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Nash Community College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Rocky Mount, North Carolina | Public | nashcc.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| College of Southern Maryland (CSM) |
Other Award
|
11 | La Plata, Maryland | Public | csmd.edu |
| College for Creative Studies (CCS) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | collegeforcreativestudies.edu |
| McDowell Technical Community College (MTCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11 | Marion, North Carolina | Public | mcdowelltech.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
11 | Dickson, Tennessee | Public | tcatdickson.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
11 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | tcatmemphis.edu |
| Kilgore College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11 | Kilgore, Texas | Public | kilgore.edu |
| Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Valley Glen, California | Public | lavc.edu |
| Western Nevada College (WNC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Carson City, Nevada | Public | wnc.edu |
| Sullivan County Community College (SUNY Sullivan) |
Associate's
|
10 | Loch Sheldrake, New York | Public | sunysullivan.edu |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) |
Associate's
|
10 | Salisbury, North Carolina | Public | rccc.edu |
| Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Pendleton, South Carolina | Public | tctc.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Morristown, Tennessee | Public | tcatmorristown.edu |
| Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Crump, Tennessee | Public | tcatcrump.edu |
| Robert Morgan Educational Center and Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
9 | Miami, Florida | Public | robertmorgantech.net |
| Central Lakes College (CLC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
9 | Brainerd, Minnesota | Public | clcmn.edu |
| Metropolitan Community College (MCC-KC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Kansas City, Missouri | Public | mcckc.edu |
| Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
9 | North Platte, Nebraska | Public | mpcc.edu |
| Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) |
Associate's
|
9 | Dryden, New York | Public | tompkinscortland.edu |
| Lakeland Community College (LCC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Kirtland, Ohio | Public | lakelandcc.edu |
| Northwest College (NWC) |
Associate's
|
9 | Powell, Wyoming | Public | nwc.edu |
| Miami Ad School |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
9 | Astoria, New York | Private | miamiadschool.com |
| Coastal Alabama Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Bay Minette, Alabama | Public | coastalalabama.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| Academy of Art University |
Master's
|
8 | San Francisco, California | Private | academyart.edu |
| Iowa Lakes Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
8 | Estherville, Iowa | Public | iowalakes.edu |
| Nassau Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Garden City, New York | Public | ncc.edu |
| Nashville State Community College (NSCC) |
Associate's
|
8 | Nashville, Tennessee | Public | nscc.edu |
| Dallas Baptist University (DBU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Dallas, Texas | Private | dbu.edu |
| Concord University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Athens, West Virginia | Public | concord.edu |
| Miami Ad School |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
8 | Miami, Florida | Private | miamiadschool.com |
| University of North Georgia (UNG) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Dahlonega, Georgia | Public | ung.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
7 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Advertising and Commercial Art programs
How much can I earn with a Advertising and Commercial Art degree?
Salaries for Advertising and Commercial Art graduates vary by role and location. Commercial and Industrial Designers earn a median of $79,450 annually, while Artists and Related Workers, All Other earn around $72,760. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $90,710 compared to $36,870 in West Virginia. Approximately 251,880 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 Advertising and Commercial Art programs?
Currently 165 accredited institutions offer Advertising and Commercial Art degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) (257 graduates), Alamance Community College (ACC) (183 graduates), and Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (120 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 Advertising and Commercial Art growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 6,201 in 2010 to a peak of 3,789 in 2020, before declining slightly to 2,987 in 2023-24. This represents a 52% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Advertising and Commercial Art degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Commercial and Industrial Designers, Artists and Related Workers, All Other, and Graphic Designers. Related occupations employ approximately 251,880 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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