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)
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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