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Communications Technology · Graphic Communications Rank #19 of 54

Graphic Communicationsat Carroll University

Graduates earn $40,825/yr in their first year — about 43.0% above the national Graphic Communications average. Base-case 10-year earnings $530K; scenarios range from $487K to $536K depending on AI disruption.

Waukesha, WI Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
31 AT RISK
32
Optimistic
23
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,825
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$530K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
46% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Carroll University

While the national picture for graphic arts can be competitive, Carroll's program benefits immensely from its location in Wisconsin's industrial and corporate corridor. You're not just learning design theory; you're positioned to step directly into roles with major regional employers in manufacturing, printing, and corporate marketing, from Milwaukee to the Fox Valley. Companies like Quad/Graphics, a massive force in the printing world, are right nearby and provide a robust pipeline for graduates with technical, production-focused skills. This access to stable, corporate design and communications jobs, rather than volatile freelance work, is what drives the strong early-career earnings you see here. To stand out, especially with the high risk from AI automation, your key is to build a portfolio that showcases not just design skill, but project management and a deep understanding of the entire production process.

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
$487K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score23/100
Earnings Multiple3.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$530K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple3.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$536K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple3.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Carroll 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 Carroll 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
Same state (WI)
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 Carroll University

Other top programs at Carroll University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Carroll 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 Carroll University

How does Carroll University's Graphic Communications program score?

This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Graphic Communications. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Graphic Communications to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Graphic Communications careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.