Graphic Communications bachelor's degree programs in Illinois

Compare 5 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

5Programs reporting earnings

$45,028Median year-4 earnings

$25,864Median federal debt

3Programs reporting debt

OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in Illinois

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

1Illinois State UniversityNormal · Debt not reported$55,723 2Western Illinois UniversityMacomb · Debt not reported$50,751 3DePaul UniversityChicago · $25,864 federal debt$45,028 4Columbia College ChicagoChicago · $25,000 federal debt$43,970 5Bradley UniversityPeoria · $27,000 federal debt$37,657

CAREER CONTEXT IN IL

What related occupations pay in Illinois

These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.

51-5111Prepress Technicians and Workers

State median wage: $49,450
Middle 50% wage range: $44,130–$65,240
State employment: 680
Projected growth: -15.3%
Annual openings: 2,100

10th–90th percentile: $38,290–$77,000

51-5112Printing Press Operators

State median wage: $46,260
Middle 50% wage range: $36,470–$59,170
State employment: 9,550
Projected growth: -8.7%
Annual openings: 12,100

10th–90th percentile: $31,450–$66,250

43-9031Desktop Publishers

State median wage: $61,350
Middle 50% wage range: $47,460–$69,080
State employment: 150
Projected growth: -14.5%
Annual openings: 300

10th–90th percentile: $44,480–$79,620

27-1014Special Effects Artists and Animators

State median wage: $81,180
Middle 50% wage range: $67,230–$108,640
State employment: 630
Projected growth: -0.3%
Annual openings: 4,200

10th–90th percentile: $60,760–$136,710

51-9194Etchers and Engravers

State median wage: $43,450
Middle 50% wage range: $37,580–$50,060
State employment: 330
Projected growth: -0.7%
Annual openings: 800

10th–90th percentile: $31,200–$62,410

43-9021Data Entry Keyers

State median wage: $42,840
Middle 50% wage range: $37,610–$48,200
State employment: 5,910
Projected growth: -25.5%
Annual openings: 7,700

10th–90th percentile: $31,200–$59,920

Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Illinois; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.

ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS

Compare every available outcome

Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.

#	College	City	Median year-4 earnings	Median federal debt
1	Illinois State University	Normal	$55,723	Not available
2	Western Illinois University	Macomb	$50,751	Not available
3	DePaul University	Chicago	$45,028	$25,864
4	Columbia College Chicago	Chicago	$43,970	$25,000
5	Bradley University	Peoria	$37,657	$27,000

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Graphic Communications in Illinois

What do Graphic Communications bachelor's degree graduates earn in Illinois?

Across 5 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $45,028 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The median is $25,864 among the 3 programs reporting federal debt.

Which Illinois colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Illinois State University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.