Graphic Design Degree in Athens, GA — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Athens, GA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$49K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$74K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Athens
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Athens, GA Overview
Athens, Georgia (pop. 127,064) has 11 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $743/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Athens is approximately $49,440.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$12,080/yr
Private Tuition
$42,791/yr
Room & Board
$10,251/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,146/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
50%
Graphic Design Salary in Athens (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Athens's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Athens adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Athens
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Athens tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,080 | Private avg: $42,791
Athens avg aid: $13,146/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,390
vs HS diploma in Athens
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Athens
$302,076
Lifetime earnings premium ($391,400) minus total education cost ($89,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Athens
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Athens for Graphic Design
University of Georgia
public
$12,080/yr
$48,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Athens Technical College
$3,152/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Athens
Athens offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Athens Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Georgia Cities
Atlanta, GA
$48K starting · COL 101
23 colleges
Columbus, GA
$41K starting · COL 84.5
8 colleges
Augusta, GA
$40K starting · COL 83
11 colleges
Macon, GA
$48K starting · COL 101
13 colleges
Savannah, GA
$46K starting · COL 95
12 colleges
Sandy Springs, GA
$54K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Roswell, GA
$52K starting · COL 108.2
4 colleges
Johns Creek, GA
$54K starting · COL 112.8
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Athens
UX Design
$52K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$52K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$52K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$52K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Athens — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Graphic Design ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Athens.