U.S. median for this major: $43,745.
College Scorecard field of study; 36 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 67% 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 $23,274. College Scorecard.
NMSU Graphic Communications: pay against the field, and payback
Same major, other colleges
Fewer than 3 New Mexico colleges report earnings for this major, so there is no state median.
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 NMSU'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 | $6,648 | $29,650 | 10.3 years |
| $30–48k | $7,424 | $33,111 | 11.5 years |
| $48–75k | $9,861 | $43,980 | 15.2 years |
| $75–110k | $13,146 | $58,631 | more than 20 years |
| $110k+ | $14,049 | $62,659 | more than 20 years |
Cost to finish = yearly price × 4.5 years, the average time graduates took (32% 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 ($33,612) minus $30,723 for high school graduates ages 25-34 in NM (Census ACS 2020-2024), a gain of $2,889 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.
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 NMSU, by income
School-wide average after grants for students receiving federal aid. Tap your band.
College Scorecard
About NMSU
- Acceptance rate: 89% · admissions
- Graduation rate: 55% within 6 years
- Median earnings, all majors, 10 years after starting: $39,067
- Full cost breakdown · all 79 majors · overview
Related majors at NMSU
- Studio Art—
- Communications—
- Journalism$45,765
NMSU Graphic Communications questions
How much do NMSU Graphic Communications graduates earn?
Graphic Communications graduates of New Mexico State University earn a median $33,612 four years after graduating and $24,115 one year after. The U.S. median for Graphic Communications graduates across 51 colleges is $43,745.
How much debt do NMSU Graphic Communications graduates have?
The median federal loan debt for Graphic Communications graduates of New Mexico State University is $22,500, about 67% of their median earnings four years out. Nationally the median is $26,958.
Where does NMSU rank for Graphic Communications in New Mexico?
Of 1 New Mexico colleges reporting Graphic Communications graduate earnings, New Mexico State University ranks 1st, the highest.
What jobs do Graphic Communications graduates get?
A common career is special effects artists and animators, with a median wage of $54,000 in New Mexico 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: “New Mexico State University Graphic Communications: earnings, debt and careers,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/colleges/new-mexico-state-university-main-campus/majors/graphic-communications (College Scorecard and BLS data).