Post job

Graphics assistant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a graphics assistant. Graphics assistants usually study graphic design, fine arts, or communication. 67% of graphics assistants hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 864 real graphics assistant resumes to see exactly what graphics assistant education sections show.

The most common colleges for graphics assistants are the Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

There are also many online graphics assistant courses to help get the education required to be a graphics assistant.

What education do you need to become a graphics assistant?

What degree do you need to be a graphics assistant?

The most common degree for graphics assistants is bachelor's degree, with 67% of graphics assistants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 20% and associate degree degree at 6%.
  • Bachelor's, 67%
  • Associate, 20%
  • High School Diploma, 6%
  • Master's, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a graphics assistant?

You should major in graphic design to become a graphics assistant. 33% of graphics assistants major in graphic design. Other common majors for a graphics assistant include fine arts and communication.

Most common colleges for graphics assistants

Graphics assistants often get their degrees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-San Francisco, and University of Maryland - College Park. Here are the most common colleges for graphics assistants in the US based on their resumes.
Graphics assistant common collegePercentages
Southern Illinois University Carbondale9.33%
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising-San Francisco6.67%
University of Maryland - College Park6.67%
The Art Institute of Houston5.33%
Georgia State University5.33%

Best majors for graphics assistants

RankMajorPercentages
1Graphic Design33.5%
2Fine Arts9.4%
3Communication9.1%
4Business8.7%
5Photography4.9%

Best colleges for graphics assistants

The best colleges for graphics assistants are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

A graphics assistant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for graphics assistants. 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 graphics assistants.

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 graphics assistants

Advertising disclosure

1. User Experience Design Immersive (Full-time)

general_assembly

Launch a future-proof career designing digital experiences that power revenue, user loyalty, and product success. Distinguish yourself as a designer by compiling a portfolio to showcase solo, group, and client projects to employers based on UI design and Agile methodologies...

2. User Experience Design (Part Time)

general_assembly

Translate user wants and needs into intuitive digital experiences that power revenue, loyalty, and product success. Build confidence and credibility to tackle complex design problems on the job. This course is offered in person and live online, in a remote classroom setting...

3. UX Designer

udacity

Design impactful user experiences for products in today’s digital world. Build a portfolio that showcases your ability to transform user research to high-fidelity interactive designs...

4. Product Design

udacity

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 Mastery- AI, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign

udemy
4.4
(4,233)

Graphic Design for beginners including Graphic Design Theories, Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, AI & Creative Thinking...

6. 47 Graphic Design Projects for Photoshop Beginners

udemy
4.8
(324)

Photoshop graphic design for beginners!  Includes 47 Photoshop projects for your graphic design portfolio...

7. Visual Design (Part Time)

general_assembly

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...

8. Intro to UX Design

general_assembly

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!...

9. Adobe Photoshop Graphic Design

udemy
4.1
(385)

Design 4 Beautiful eye catching Graphic Design Projects from Scratch with Adobe Photoshop Graphic Design Basics...

10. Graphic Design Mastery: The FULL Branding & Design Process

udemy
4.7
(1,014)

Follows the FULL Graphic Design Process for A Company: Logo, Ad, Social Media, T-Shirt, Package, Website Design & More!...

11. T-Shirt Design Masterclass In Photoshop Sell Your T-Shirt

udemy
4.3
(273)

Design Stylish TShirt Photoshop With Adobe Photoshop CC and Learn How To Earn Money By T-Shirt Design...

12. T-Shirt Design Workshop 02: Mixed Media Design

udemy
4.5
(946)

Create T-Shirt Designs using Photoshop, Illustrator, and hand-drawing techniques...

13. Graphic Design Masterclass - Learn GREAT Design

udemy
4.7
(55,714)

The Ultimate Graphic Design Course Which Covers Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design,Design Theory, Branding and Logo Design...

14. T-Shirt Design Workshop 01: Foundation

udemy
4
(1,226)

Design a t-shirt like a professional: specialty printing methods, fabrics, inks, dyes, and washes...

15. Graphic Design Masterclass: Design 40+ Projects in Photoshop

udemy
4.7
(507)

Use Photoshop to create YT thumbnails, banners, catalogues, Instagram & Facebook Graphics, Cards, CV, Newsletters & more...

16. Graphic Design Bootcamp: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign

udemy
4.5
(16,167)

Bestselling Beginner Course! Use Photoshop, Illustrator, & In Design for logo design, web design, poster design, and more...

17. Master Graphic Design & Software with Practical Projects

udemy
4.5
(737)

Conquer Popular Graphic Design Projects: Logo, Package, Magazine, Book Cover Design, Branding, Digital Graphics & More!...

18. Digital Design Masterclass For Graphic Designers

udemy
4.7
(1,245)

Icon Set Design, E-book cover, Digitizing Sketches, Social Media Design, Wordpress Web Design, Adobe Xd, GIFS and more!...

19. Graphic Design Masterclass Intermediate: The NEXT Level

udemy
4.6
(4,276)

Up Your Graphic Design Skills: Logo Design, Photo Manipulation, Package Design, Infographics, Portfolio Building, Grids!...

20. T-SHIRT DESIGN MASTERCLASS - BEGINNER TO PRO FAST

udemy
4.5
(1,101)

Learn To Create Your Own Custom T-Shirt Graphics Using Illustrator CC...

Top 10 most affordable universities for graphics assistants

The most affordable schools for graphics assistants are University of Florida, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and lehman college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for graphics assistants 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 graphics assistants.

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. Lehman College of the City University of New York

Bronx, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,210

Cost of attendance

14,359

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

6. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

7. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

10. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for graphics assistants

The hardest universities for graphics assistants to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for graphics assistants 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 graphics assistants 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. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

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 graphics assistants

The easiest schools for graphics assistants to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, wayland baptist university, and curry college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a graphics assistant 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 graphics assistants.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

3. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. Marymount University

Arlington, VA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,065

6. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

7. Grand View University

Des Moines, IA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,060

8. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

9. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

10. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

Average graphics assistant salary by education level

According to our data, graphics assistants with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $54,625 annually. Graphics assistants with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $49,816.
Graphics assistant education levelGraphics assistant salary
Master's Degree$54,625
Bachelor's Degree$49,816
Some College/ Associate Degree$44,449

Graphics assistant education FAQs

Search for graphics assistant jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs