Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
Graphic Designer Education Requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a graphic designer. Graphic designers usually study graphic design, fine arts, or design and visual communication. 68% of graphic designers hold a bachelor's degree, and 23% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 120,919 real graphic designer resumes to see exactly what graphic designer education sections show.
The most common colleges for graphic designers are the The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and the The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
There are also many online graphic designer courses to help get the education required to be a graphic designer.
There are certain graphic designer certifications that you should consider. These graphic designer certifications include Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP) and Certified Digital Designer (CDD).
What education do you need to become a graphic designer?
What degree do you need to be a graphic designer?
- Bachelor's, 68%
- Associate, 23%
- Master's, 3%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a graphic designer?
- Graphic Design, 55%
- Fine Arts, 9%
- Communication, 4%
- Other Majors, 25%
Most common colleges for graphic designers
| Graphic Designer Common College | Percentages |
|---|---|
| The Art Institute of Pittsburgh | 10.24% |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 10.09% |
| School of Visual Arts | 6.98% |
| Full Sail University | 6.63% |
| Fashion Institute of Technology | 6.60% |
Best majors for graphic designers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graphic Design | 54.7% |
| 2 | Fine Arts | 9.3% |
| 3 | Design And Visual Communication | 7.0% |
| 4 | Communication | 3.6% |
| 5 | Computer Applications | 2.8% |
Best colleges for graphic designers
The best colleges for graphic designers are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northeastern University.
A graphic designer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for graphic designers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become graphic designers.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
8. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,230
Enrollment
12,161
10. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
20 best online courses for graphic designers
Advertising Disclosure
1. User Experience Design Immersive (Full-time)
Launch a future-proof career designing digital experiences that power revenue, user loyalty, and product success. Distinguish yourself as a designer by compiling a portfolio to showcase solo, group, and client projects to employers based on UI design and Agile methodologies...
2. User Experience Design (Part Time)
Translate user wants and needs into intuitive digital experiences that power revenue, loyalty, and product success. Build confidence and credibility to tackle complex design problems on the job. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
3. UX Designer
Design impactful user experiences for products in today’s digital world. Build a portfolio that showcases your ability to transform user research to high-fidelity interactive designs...
4. Product Design
Learn the steps you need to turn an idea into reality. By the end of this course you’ll learn how to bring an idea from concept to hand off for development and onto creation of a prototype...
5. Graphic Design Mastery: The FULL Branding & Design Process
Follows the FULL Graphic Design Process for A Company: Logo, Ad, Social Media, T-Shirt, Package, Website Design & More!...
6. Graphic Design Masterclass - Learn GREAT Design
The Ultimate Graphic Design Course Which Covers Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design,Design Theory, Branding and Logo Design...
7. Visual Design (Part Time)
Gain the vocabulary and tools to tackle diverse design challenges on the job. Kickstart your portfolio and create beautiful, responsive designs for the web. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
8. Intro to UX Design
Are you interested in UX Design, but have no prior experience or an idea of where to start? You’ve come to the right place! In this two-hour livestream, we’ll explore the decision-making process that separates a good user experience from a great one, and learn some tools that you can implement in your own UX process today. All in real time, taught by an industry professional. Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to begin your UX Design journey!...
9. Graphic Design Mastery- AI, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign
Graphic Design for beginners including Graphic Design Theories, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, AI & Creative Thinking...
10. 47 Graphic Design Projects for Photoshop Beginners
Photoshop graphic design for beginners! Includes 47 Photoshop projects for your graphic design portfolio...
11. T-Shirt Design Workshop 02: Mixed Media Design
Create T-Shirt Designs using Photoshop, Illustrator, and hand-drawing techniques...
12. Adobe Photoshop Graphic Design
Design 4 Beautiful eye catching Graphic Design Projects from Scratch with Adobe Photoshop Graphic Design Basics...
13. Graphic Design Masterclass Intermediate: The NEXT Level
Up Your Graphic Design Skills: Logo Design, Photo Manipulation, Package Design, Infographics, Portfolio Building, Grids!...
14. Master Graphic Design & Software with Practical Projects
Conquer Popular Graphic Design Projects: Logo, Package, Magazine, Book Cover Design, Branding, Digital Graphics & More!...
15. T-Shirt Design Workshop 01: Foundation
Design a t-shirt like a professional: specialty printing methods, fabrics, inks, dyes, and washes...
16. T-Shirt Design Masterclass In Photoshop Sell Your T-Shirt
Design Stylish TShirt Photoshop With Adobe Photoshop CC and Learn How To Earn Money By T-Shirt Design...
17. Graphic Design Bootcamp: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
Bestselling Beginner Course! Use Photoshop, Illustrator, & In Design for logo design, web design, poster design, and more...
18. Digital Design Masterclass For Graphic Designers
Icon Set Design, E-book cover, Digitizing Sketches, Social Media Design, Wordpress Web Design, Adobe Xd, GIFS and more!...
19. Graphic Design Masterclass: Learn Graphic Design in Projects
Graphic design principles, typography, & color mastery using Illustrator, In Design, and Photoshop. For beginners & more!...
20. The Complete Graphic Design Theory for Beginners Course
Learn Graphic Design Theory and the Basic Principles of Color Theory, Typography, Branding, Logo Design, Layout & More!...
Top 10 most affordable universities for graphic designers
The most affordable schools for graphic designers are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for graphic designers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for graphic designers.
1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,240
Cost of Attendance
13,991
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,381
Cost of Attendance
21,034
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,620
Cost of Attendance
18,136
4. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,740
Cost of Attendance
17,864
5. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,210
Cost of Attendance
14,359
6. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$8,306
Cost of Attendance
16,091
7. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-State Tuition
$9,992
Cost of Attendance
22,430
8. University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT • Private
In-State Tuition
$9,222
Cost of Attendance
20,422
9. San Jose State University
San Jose, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,796
Cost of Attendance
24,514
10. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-State Tuition
$11,207
Cost of Attendance
25,275
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for graphic designers
The hardest universities for graphic designers to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for graphic designers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for graphic designers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
17%
SAT Average
1,507
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,492
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
19%
SAT Average
1,466
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,508
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
13%
SAT Average
1,445
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
22%
SAT Average
1,420
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
20%
SAT Average
1,419
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
5%
SAT Average
1,520
9. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions Rate
42%
SAT Average
1,380
10. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions Rate
9%
SAT Average
1,516
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for graphic designers
The easiest schools for graphic designers to get into are Notre Dame College, notre dame de namur university, and cardinal stritch university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a graphic designer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for graphic designers.
1. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions Rate
90%
SAT Average
994
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
82%
SAT Average
983
3. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions Rate
71%
SAT Average
1,035
4. Marymount University
Arlington, VA • Private
Admissions Rate
91%
SAT Average
1,065
5. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions Rate
92%
SAT Average
1,060
6. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions Rate
67%
SAT Average
987
7. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions Rate
81%
SAT Average
1,117
8. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
92%
SAT Average
1,031
9. Longwood University
Farmville, VA • Private
Admissions Rate
89%
SAT Average
1,065
10. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
84%
SAT Average
1,031
Average graphic designer salary by education level
| Graphic Designer education level | Graphic Designer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $58,581 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $53,661 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $48,143 |
Graphic Designer Education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.
Search for graphic designer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025