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Graphic designer/editor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a graphic designer/editor. Graphic designer/editors usually study graphic design, communication, or fine arts. 71% of graphic designer/editors hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,394 real graphic designer/editor resumes to see exactly what graphic designer/editor education sections show.
The most common colleges for graphic designer/editors are the New York University and the New York University.
There are also many online graphic designer/editor courses to help get the education required to be a graphic designer/editor.
What education do you need to become a graphic designer/editor?
What degree do you need to be a graphic designer/editor?
- Bachelor's, 71%
- Associate, 18%
- Master's, 5%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a graphic designer/editor?
- Graphic Design, 30%
- Communication, 10%
- Fine Arts, 9%
- Photography, 9%
- Other Majors, 42%
Most common colleges for graphic designer/editors
| Graphic designer/editor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| New York University | 7.84% |
| Full Sail University | 7.84% |
| University of California - Davis | 5.88% |
| Syracuse University | 4.90% |
| Academy of Art University | 4.90% |
Best majors for graphic designer/editors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graphic Design | 30.2% |
| 2 | Communication | 9.6% |
| 3 | Fine Arts | 9.1% |
| 4 | Photography | 8.8% |
| 5 | Journalism | 5.3% |
Best colleges for graphic designer/editors
The best colleges for graphic designer/editors are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.
A graphic designer/editor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for graphic designer/editors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become graphic designer/editors.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
8. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
10. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
20 best online courses for graphic designer/editors
Advertising disclosure
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4. Product Design
Learn the steps you need to turn an idea into reality. By the end of this course you’ll learn how to bring an idea from concept to hand off for development and onto creation of a prototype...
5. Graphic Design Masterclass - Learn GREAT Design
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7. Visual Design (Part Time)
Gain the vocabulary and tools to tackle diverse design challenges on the job. Kickstart your portfolio and create beautiful, responsive designs for the web. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...
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Are you interested in UX Design, but have no prior experience or an idea of where to start? You’ve come to the right place! In this two-hour livestream, we’ll explore the decision-making process that separates a good user experience from a great one, and learn some tools that you can implement in your own UX process today. All in real time, taught by an industry professional. Come learn the basics and gain the skills you need to begin your UX Design journey!...
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15. Graphic Design Masterclass: Learn Graphic Design in Projects
Graphic design principles, typography, & color mastery using Illustrator, In Design, and Photoshop. For beginners & more!...
16. Graphic Design Masterclass: Design 40+ Projects in Photoshop
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17. Graphic Design Bootcamp: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
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18. Become a Professional Graphic Designer
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19. Complete Graphics Design and Video Editing Masterclass
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20. Graphic Design - An Overview of the Field
A survey course that explore nine graphic design specialties...
Top 10 most affordable universities for graphic designer/editors
The most affordable schools for graphic designer/editors are University of Florida, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for graphic designer/editors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for graphic designer/editors.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
6. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
7. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
10. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for graphic designer/editors
The hardest universities for graphic designer/editors to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.
Some great schools for graphic designer/editors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for graphic designer/editors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
4. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
5. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for graphic designer/editors
The easiest schools for graphic designer/editors to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, cardinal stritch university, and la roche college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a graphic designer/editor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for graphic designer/editors.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
3. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
4. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
5. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
6. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
7. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
8. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
9. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
10. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
Average graphic designer/editor salary by education level
| Graphic designer/editor education level | Graphic designer/editor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $58,942 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $54,177 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $48,812 |
Graphic designer/editor education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025