Graphic Communications at Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
30 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
30
Optimistic
30
Base Case
24
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,044/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Large (32,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #20 of 54 Graphic Communications programs Top 50%

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 $759K $725K $624K
Earnings Multiple 3.3x 3.2x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 47% 41% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 30 24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$228,064
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$118,776
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$77,838
143% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,044 at Rochester Institute of Technology come in 12% above the national median of $28,601 for Graphic Communications programs.

An earnings multiple of 3.2x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 18% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $32,044 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #20 of 54 Graphic Communications programs, Rochester Institute of Technology scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $77,838 show a 143% jump from the $32,044 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester Institute of Technology accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 13,225 in Rochester, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $118,776 over four years — 48% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Rochester Institute of Technology →

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

Graphic Communications at Other Schools

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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 Rochester Institute of Technology?
A score of 30/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Graphic Communications. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
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 $623,512 in decade earnings vs $759,371 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →