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Communications Technology · Graphic Communications Rank #39 of 54

Graphic Communicationsat Atlantic University

Graduates earn $15,397/yr in their first year — about 46.0% below the national Graphic Communications average. Base-case 10-year earnings $363K; scenarios range from $370K to $343K depending on AI disruption.

Guaynabo, PR Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
18 AT RISK
19
Optimistic
16
Pessimistic
Earnings
$15,397
1-year post-graduation
ROI
3.6x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$363K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
46% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Atlantic University

While the career paths listed show a wide range of possibilities, your actual prospects after graduation will be shaped heavily by the local Puerto Rican economy. The low earnings data reflects a labor market with fewer high-paying corporate design headquarters or major media studios compared to mainland US hubs. This program likely funnels graduates into roles at smaller local businesses, print shops, and regional advertising agencies, where wages are scaled to the local cost of living. The curriculum may also focus more on the production and technical side of graphic arts rather than the high-concept, strategic work that commands top salaries in major metropolitan markets.

For a stronger financial outcome, your most critical task is to build a freelance portfolio targeting mainland US or international clients *while you are still in school*, allowing you to access higher-paying markets remotely upon graduation.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$370K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score16/100
Earnings Multiple11.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$363K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score18/100
Earnings Multiple11.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$343K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score19/100
Earnings Multiple10.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Atlantic University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Graphic Communications graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Special effects artists and animators
+1.6% 10-yr growth · 5,000 openings/yr
$99,800/yr
High
2
Desktop publishers
-12.4% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$53,620/yr
High
3
Prepress technicians and workers
-14.6% 10-yr growth · 2,800 openings/yr
$47,300/yr
Moderate
4
Printing press operators
-8.1% 10-yr growth · 13,700 openings/yr
$45,160/yr
Low
5
Etchers and engravers
-0.7% 10-yr growth · 900 openings/yr
$40,450/yr
Low
6
Data entry keyers
-25.9% 10-yr growth · 9,500 openings/yr
$39,850/yr
Very High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Graphic Communications

How Atlantic University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Baker College
MI · Private nonprofit
51
DW Score
$74K
1-yr earn
13.5x
ROI
Art Center College of Design
CA · Private nonprofit
40
DW Score
$67K
1-yr earn
2.2x
ROI
Top score
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
59
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
18.7x
ROI
University of Wisconsin-Stout
WI · Public
52
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
14.1x
ROI
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
57
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
21.8x
ROI
Also at Atlantic University

Other top programs at Atlantic University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Atlantic University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Graphic Communications offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Graphic Communications trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Graphic Communications at Atlantic University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Graphic Communications at Atlantic University?

A score of 18/100 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 $369,517 in decade earnings vs $343,374 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Graphic Communications from Atlantic University?

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.