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Prepress and Digital Imaging Design: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Designed for aspiring professionals in the digital media and print production fields, this program equips learners with the technical expertise and creative insight needed to transform visual and textual content into polished, publication-ready formats. Emphasis is placed on mastering the end-to-end workflow from concept to final output, ensuring precision in both traditional print and modern digital environments.

  • Digital Imaging: Techniques for capturing, editing, and optimizing visual content using industry-standard software and hardware to achieve high-resolution, print- and screen-ready results.
  • Print Preparation: Processes involved in formatting and finalizing artwork for printing, including color management, file structuring, and output specifications for various press types.
  • Page Layout and Design: Principles of visual hierarchy, spatial organization, and composition to create effective, aesthetically balanced documents across print and digital platforms.
  • Desktop Publishing: Hands-on training with professional publishing tools to assemble, format, and produce complex documents such as magazines, brochures, and reports.
  • Typography and Text Arrangement: Mastery of font selection, spacing, alignment, and readability to enhance message clarity and visual impact in both printed and digital media.
  • Computer Hardware and Software: Familiarity with specialized systems, peripherals, and applications essential for efficient prepress workflows and digital content production.
  • Printing and Lithographic Operations: Understanding of offset printing processes, press mechanics, and quality control measures critical to high-volume, accurate print output.
  • Graphic and Web Page Design Principles: Foundational knowledge of visual communication, user experience, and responsive design to support cohesive branding and digital content delivery.

Prepress and Digital Imaging Design Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

1,171
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
85
Universities & Colleges
2
Career Pathways

Prepress and Digital Imaging Design Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Prepress and Digital Imaging Design degrees, including Desktop Publishers and Prepress Technicians and Workers. 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 27,070 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Desktop Publishers 43-9031 $53,620 $34,650 - $92,880 4,000 $25.78
Prepress Technicians and Workers 51-5111 $47,300 $34,270 - $65,530 23,070 $22.74

Prepress and Digital Imaging Design Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $32,980 in Oklahoma to $98,780 in District of Columbia—a 200% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Colorado, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 27,070 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 Prepress and Digital Imaging Design by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 85 institutions offering Prepress and Digital Imaging Design 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 Prepress and Digital Imaging Design is found at Houston Community College (HCC) (150 graduates), Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) (67 graduates), Santa Ana College (SAC) (62 graduates), Sacramento City College (SCC) (45 graduates), and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) (43 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,171 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
Houston Community College (HCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
150 Houston, Texas Public hccs.edu
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
67 Salt Lake City, Utah Public slcc.edu
Santa Ana College (SAC)
Associate's
Other Award
62 Santa Ana, California Public sac.edu
Sacramento City College (SCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
45 Sacramento, California Public scc.losrios.edu
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC)
Associate's
43 Green Bay, Wisconsin Public nwtc.edu
Riverside City College (RCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
36 Riverside, California Public rcc.edu
Cerro Coso Community College
Other Award
32 Ridgecrest, California Public cerrocoso.edu
Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
29 Los Angeles, California Public lattc.edu
Lake Land College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
29 Mattoon, Illinois Public lakelandcollege.edu
Pasadena City College (PCC)
Associate's
Other Award
26 Pasadena, California Public pasadena.edu
Camden County College (CCC)
Associate's
26 Blackwood, New Jersey Public camdencc.edu
Norco College
Associate's
Other Award
23 Norco, California Public norcocollege.edu
Chabot College (CC)
Associate's
Other Award
22 Hayward, California Public chabotcollege.edu
San Joaquin Delta College
Associate's
Other Award
22 Stockton, California Public deltacollege.edu
Santa Monica College (SMC)
Associate's
Other Award
22 Santa Monica, California Public smc.edu
Charlotte Technical College (CTC)
Other Award
22 Port Charlotte, Florida Public charlottetechcollege.net
American River College (ARC)
Associate's
Other Award
21 Sacramento, California Public arc.losrios.edu
City College of San Francisco (CCSF)
Other Award
21 San Francisco, California Public ccsf.edu
Mt San Jacinto Community College District (MSJC)
Associate's
Other Award
20 San Jacinto, California Public msjc.edu
Lewis and Clark Community College (L&C)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
20 Godfrey, Illinois Public lc.edu
Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC)
Associate's
Other Award
19 Belleville, Illinois Public swic.edu
Tarrant County College District (TCCD)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
19 Fort Worth, Texas Public tccd.edu
Dallas College
Associate's
Other Award
18 Dallas, Texas Public dallascollege.edu
Kellogg Community College (KCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
17 Battle Creek, Michigan Public kellogg.edu
Palo Verde College (PVC)
Other Award
16 Blythe, California Public paloverde.edu
College of San Mateo (CSM)
Associate's
Other Award
16 San Mateo, California Public collegeofsanmateo.edu
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC)
Associate's
Other Award
14 Mason City, Iowa Public niacc.edu
Passaic County Community College (PCCC)
Associate's
13 Paterson, New Jersey Public web.pccc.edu
Southeast Technical College (STC)
Associate's
13 Sioux Falls, South Dakota Public southeasttech.edu
Cape Coral Technical College (CCTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
13 Cape Coral, Florida Public capecoraltech.edu
Cabrillo College
Other Award
12 Aptos, California Public cabrillo.edu
Whatcom Community College (WCC)
Associate's
12 Bellingham, Washington Public whatcom.edu
Great Plains Technology Center
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
11 Lawton, Oklahoma Public greatplains.edu
Palomar College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
10 San Marcos, California Public www2.palomar.edu
Suncoast Technical College (STC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
10 Sarasota, Florida Public sarasotacountyschools.net
Kirkwood Community College
Associate's
10 Cedar Rapids, Iowa Public kirkwood.edu
M-DCPS The English Center (TEC)
Other Award
10 Miami, Florida Public tecmiami.com
Gavilan College
Associate's
Other Award
9 Gilroy, California Public gavilan.edu
Manatee Technical College (MTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
9 Bradenton, Florida Public manateetech.edu
Northwest Kansas Technical College (NWKTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
9 Goodland, Kansas Public nwktc.edu
Southwestern Oregon Community College (SWOCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
9 Coos Bay, Oregon Public socc.edu
Francis Tuttle Technology Center
Other Award
9 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Public francistuttle.edu
Osceola Technical College (oTECH)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
9 Kissimmee, Florida Public osceolaschools.net
Cypress College
Other Award
8 Cypress, California Public cypresscollege.edu
Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC)
Associate's
8 Hutchinson, Kansas Public hutchcc.edu
Victor Valley College (VVC)
Other Award
7 Victorville, California Public vvc.edu
Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC)
Associate's
7 Kansas City, Kansas Public kckcc.edu
College of the Canyons
Associate's
6 Santa Clarita, California Public canyons.edu
Iowa Central Community College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
6 Fort Dodge, Iowa Public iowacentral.edu
Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC)
Associate's
6 Sioux City, Iowa Public witcc.edu
Labette Community College (LCC)
Associate's
6 Parsons, Kansas Public labette.edu
Springfield Technical Community College (STCC)
Other Award
6 Springfield, Massachusetts Public stcc.edu
Coastline Community College (CC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
5 Fountain Valley, California Public coastline.edu
Long Beach City College (LBCC)
Associate's
Other Award
5 Long Beach, California Public lbcc.edu
Merced College
Associate's
5 Merced, California Public mccd.edu
Southeastern Community College (SCC)
Associate's
5 West Burlington, Iowa Public scciowa.edu
Clover Park Technical College (CPTC)
Associate's
5 Lakewood, Washington Public cptc.edu
Antelope Valley Community College District (AVCCD)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
4 Lancaster, California Public avc.edu
Fresno City College (FCC)
Associate's
Other Award
4 Fresno, California Public fresnocitycollege.edu
Mendocino College
Other Award
4 Ukiah, California Public mendocino.edu
Westmoreland County Community College
Associate's
Other Award
4 Youngwood, Pennsylvania Public westmoreland.edu
Arkansas State University (ASUMH)
Associate's
4 Mountain Home, Arkansas Public asumh.edu
Canada College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
3 Redwood City, California Public canadacollege.edu
Crafton Hills College (CHC)
Associate's
3 Yucaipa, California Public craftonhills.edu
San Jose City College (SJCC)
Associate's
Other Award
3 San Jose, California Public sjcc.edu
Traviss Technical College (TTC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
3 Lakeland, Florida Public traviss.edu
Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC)
Other Award
3 Calmar, Iowa Public nicc.edu
Ventura Adult and Continuing Education (VACE)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
3 Ventura, California Public adultedventura.edu
Irvine Valley College (IVC)
Other Award
2 Irvine, California Public ivc.edu
MiraCosta College
Other Award
2 Oceanside, California Public miracosta.edu
Moorpark College
Other Award
2 Moorpark, California Public moorparkcollege.edu
Oakton College
Other Award
2 Des Plaines, Illinois Public oakton.edu
William Rainey Harper College
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
2 Palatine, Illinois Public harpercollege.edu
Northcentral Technical College (NTC)
Other Award
2 Wausau, Wisconsin Public ntc.edu
Diablo Valley College (DVC)
Associate's
1 Pleasant Hill, California Public dvc.edu
Golden West College (GWC)
Other Award
1 Huntington Beach, California Public goldenwestcollege.edu
Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC)
Other Award
1 Walnut, California Public mtsac.edu
Rio Hondo College (RHC)
Other Award
1 Whittier, California Public riohondo.edu
Berkeley City College (BCC)
Other Award
1 Berkeley, California Public berkeleycitycollege.edu
Illinois Central College (ICC)
Other Award
1 East Peoria, Illinois Public icc.edu
Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC)
Other Award
1 Palos Hills, Illinois Public morainevalley.edu
Cowley County Community College
Other Award
1 Arkansas City, Kansas Public cowley.edu
Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
1 Detroit, Michigan Public wcccd.edu
Nassau Community College (NCC)
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
1 Garden City, New York Public ncc.edu
Coconino Community College (CCC)
Other Award
1 Flagstaff, Arizona Public coconino.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Prepress and Digital Imaging Design programs

How much can I earn with a Prepress and Digital Imaging Design degree?

Salaries for Prepress and Digital Imaging Design graduates vary by role and location. Desktop Publishers earn a median of $53,620 annually, while Prepress Technicians and Workers earn around $47,300. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $98,780 compared to $32,980 in Oklahoma. Approximately 27,070 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 Prepress and Digital Imaging Design programs?

Currently 85 accredited institutions offer Prepress and Digital Imaging Design degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Houston Community College (HCC) (150 graduates), Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) (67 graduates), and Santa Ana College (SAC) (62 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 Prepress and Digital Imaging Design growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 761 in 2010 to 1,171 in 2023-24. This represents a 54% 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 Prepress and Digital Imaging Design degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Desktop Publishers, Prepress Technicians and Workers, . Related occupations employ approximately 27,070 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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