U.S. median for this major: $43,745.
College Scorecard field of study; 46 graduates with earnings reported. A small group, so treat this figure with caution
Median for graduates who received federal aid.
College Scorecard field of study
About 57% of median earnings 4 years out. U.S. median $26,958.
College Scorecard field of study (federal loans)
Average after grants for all families receiving federal aid. Pick your income above.
Sticker price $63,052. College Scorecard.
DePaul University Graphic Communications: pay against the field, and payback
Same major, other colleges
Median earnings 4 years after graduating; state and U.S. figures are the median of each covered college's graduates in this major. College Scorecard; calculated by EducationGuide.
Graphic Communications nationally: jobs, pay at ages 25-34, every state →
Cost to finish and years to pay back, by income
Uses DePaul University's school-wide net price (no college reports it by major) and this major's graduate earnings.
| Family income | Net price / yr | Cost to finish | Years to pay back |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0–30k | $27,359 | $115,729 | 12.5 years |
| $30–48k | $25,950 | $109,769 | 11.9 years |
| $48–75k | $28,687 | $121,346 | 13.1 years |
| $75–110k | $31,057 | $131,371 | 14.2 years |
| $110k+ | $37,092 | $156,899 | 17.0 years |
Cost to finish = yearly price × 4.2 years, the average time graduates took (56% finished in 4 years; students who entered fall 2017, IPEDS). Years to pay back = cost to finish ÷ the earnings gain: median earnings of Graphic Communications graduates 4 years after graduating ($45,028) minus $35,797 for high school graduates ages 25-34 in IL (Census ACS 2020-2024), a gain of $9,231 a year. Before taxes, loan interest and earnings given up while in school. Method
College Scorecard; IPEDS Graduation Rates; U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Calculated by EducationGuide.
Graphic Communications at Illinois colleges
Every Illinois college we cover that reports Graphic Communications graduate earnings, highest first. Net price is the school-wide average after grants.
| Rank | College | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt | Avg. net price | Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois State University | $55,723 | — | $19,398 | 65% |
| 2 | Western Illinois University | $50,751 | — | $12,937 | 45% |
| 3 | DePaul University | $45,028 | $25,864 | $30,902 | 68% |
| 4 | Columbia College Chicago | $43,970 | $25,000 | $26,598 | 52% |
| 5 | Bradley University | $37,657 | $27,000 | $22,719 | 76% |
2 more Illinois colleges offer Graphic Communications but have too few graduates to report earnings.
Careers for Graphic Communications graduates
Special Effects Artists and Animators
Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs -0.3% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35. Careers from the federal major-to-occupation crosswalk.
What families pay at DePaul University, by income
School-wide average after grants for students receiving federal aid. Tap your band.
College Scorecard
About DePaul University
- Acceptance rate: 76% · admissions
- Graduation rate: 68% within 6 years
- Median earnings, all majors, 10 years after starting: $68,751
- Full cost breakdown · all 73 majors · overview
Related majors at DePaul University
- Studio Art$37,085
- Graphic / Interior / Fashion Design$55,213
- Communications$56,014
- Public Relations and Advertising$71,045
- Journalism$61,708
DePaul University Graphic Communications questions
How much do DePaul University Graphic Communications graduates earn?
Graphic Communications graduates of DePaul University earn a median $45,028 four years after graduating and $19,178 one year after. The U.S. median for Graphic Communications graduates across 51 colleges is $43,745.
How much debt do DePaul University Graphic Communications graduates have?
The median federal loan debt for Graphic Communications graduates of DePaul University is $25,864, about 57% of their median earnings four years out. Nationally the median is $26,958.
Is DePaul University a good school for Graphic Communications in Illinois?
On pay, Graphic Communications graduates of DePaul University earn $45,028 four years out, $0 above the median for the same major across 5 Illinois colleges ($45,028) and $1,283 above the U.S. median ($43,745). Medians of each college's graduates; EducationGuide calculation from College Scorecard.
Where does DePaul University rank for Graphic Communications in Illinois?
Of 5 Illinois colleges reporting Graphic Communications graduate earnings, DePaul University ranks 3rd. The highest is Illinois State University at $55,723.
What jobs do Graphic Communications graduates get?
A common career is special effects artists and animators, with a median wage of $83,200 in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area and $102,030 nationally.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study: median earnings and federal loan debt of graduates who received federal aid); BLS. How we score
Data: JSON · Markdown · all datasets
Cite this: “DePaul University Graphic Communications: earnings, debt and careers,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/colleges/depaul-university/majors/graphic-communications (College Scorecard and BLS data).