Graphic Communications at Columbus College of Art & Design

Columbus, OH · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
11 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
11
Optimistic
11
Base Case
8
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,110/yr (-30% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (32,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #50 of 54 Graphic Communications programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Graphic Communications graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $467K $471K $445K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 3.0x 2.8x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 11 11 8

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$158,600
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$120,556
24% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
16.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,010
84% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $20,110 per year, Graphic Communications graduates from Columbus College of Art & Design earn below the $28,601 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The financial case is thin at 3.0x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Graphic Communications's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 against $20,110/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.3 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #50 of 54 Graphic Communications programs, Columbus College of Art & Design falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $37,010 show a 84% jump from the $20,110 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Columbus College of Art & Design

With 72% of applicants admitted, Columbus College of Art & Design prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 891 students in Columbus, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Columbus College of Art & Design →

Top Career Paths

Special effects artists and animators $99,800/yr
Desktop publishers $53,620/yr
Prepress technicians and workers $47,300/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Graphic Communications at Columbus College of Art & Design?
A score of 11/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Graphic Communications. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Graphic Communications at Columbus College of Art & Design worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $20,110/yr starting salary means roughly 1.3 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace Graphic Communications careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $445,171 in decade earnings vs $467,279 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Graphic Communications from Columbus College of Art & Design?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →