Graphic Communicationsat DePaul University
Graduates earn $19,178/yr in their first year — about 33.0% below the national Graphic Communications average. Base-case 10-year earnings $584K; scenarios range from $525K to $598K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at DePaul University
While Chicago is a major hub for advertising and digital media, DePaul's Graphic Communications program leans heavily into the technical and production side of the industry—think print operations and prepress technology, not high-concept digital campaigns at major ad agencies. This focus prepares you well for stable jobs in the commercial printing and publishing world, but these roles often have lower salary ceilings than strategic design or animation careers. You'll be competing in a crowded local market with graduates from more art-and-design-focused schools like SAIC for a limited number of high-paying creative agency positions. To boost your prospects, aggressively pursue internships in digital marketing or UX/UI design; this will prove you have the creative and strategic skills that command higher salaries, beyond just technical production expertise.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to DePaul University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Graphic Communications
How DePaul University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at DePaul University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at DePaul 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 →Frequently asked about Graphic Communications at DePaul University
How does DePaul University's Graphic Communications program score?
This program scores 12/100 — on the lower end for Graphic Communications. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do DePaul University Graphic Communications graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.3x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
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.
Why are Graphic Communications earnings lower at DePaul University?
Lower starting pay at DePaul University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.