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Graphic Communications at Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Minneapolis, MN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $24,427/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Large (32,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #47 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	$488K	$488K	$458K
Earnings Multiple	2.8x	2.8x	2.6x
Probability of Field Employment	47%	41%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	13	12	9

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$175,296

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$103,740

41% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

13.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$41,878

71% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $24,427/yr, Graphic Communications graduates from Minneapolis College of Art and Design land near the $28,601 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 2.8x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 6% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $27,000 debt load exceeds a year of the $24,427 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #47 out of 54 programs, Minneapolis College of Art and Design's financial outcomes for Graphic Communications trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $24,427 to $41,878 over five years (71% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Minneapolis College of Art and Design accepts 48% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a smaller institution with 701 students in Minneapolis, MN. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $103,740 — 41% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Minneapolis College of Art and 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

Graphic Communications at Other Schools

Other Majors at Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Minneapolis College of Art and Design'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 Minneapolis College of Art and Design Graphic Communications graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →