Graphic Design Degree in Chicago, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Chicago, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Chicago
Cost of Living
109
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Chicago, IL Overview
Chicago is one of Illinois's top college towns, with 98 institutions and a student population of 177,322. Public tuition averages $14,816/year here — near the national average for public universities. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Chicago is approximately $52,320.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
98
Public Tuition
$14,816/yr
Private Tuition
$62,666/yr
Room & Board
$9,117/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,009/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
63%
Graphic Design Salary in Chicago (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chicago's cost of living index of 109 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Chicago adjustment factor: 1.09x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Chicago
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Chicago tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,816 | Private avg: $62,666
Chicago avg aid: $16,009/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$95,732
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,170
vs HS diploma in Chicago
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chicago
$318,468
Lifetime earnings premium ($414,200) minus total education cost ($95,732)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Chicago
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chicago for Graphic Design
University of Chicago
private
$62,940/yr
$251,760 total
Northwestern University
private
$62,391/yr
$249,564 total
University of Illinois at Chicago
public
$14,816/yr
$59,264 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
City Colleges of Chicago
$3,918/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Chicago
Chicago offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chicago Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Illinois Cities
Aurora, IL
$45K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$52K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$49K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$43K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$38K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$44K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Peoria, IL
$50K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$43K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Chicago
UX Design
$55K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$63K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$55K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$55K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$55K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$55K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$55K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$55K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Chicago — 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 Chicago.