Graphic Design Degree in Dayton, OH — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Dayton, OH. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$75K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.6 yrs
in Dayton
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Dayton, OH Overview
Dayton, Ohio (pop. 137,644) has 9 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 104 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $865/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Dayton is approximately $49,920.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,740/yr
Private Tuition
$46,490/yr
Room & Board
$12,639/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,990/yr
Unemployment
6%
Graduation Rate
50%
Graphic Design Salary in Dayton (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Dayton's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Dayton adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Dayton
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Dayton tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,740 | Private avg: $46,490
Dayton avg aid: $7,990/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,516
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,520
vs HS diploma in Dayton
ROI Payback Period
6.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Dayton
$305,684
Lifetime earnings premium ($395,200) minus total education cost ($89,516)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Dayton
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Dayton for Graphic Design
University of Dayton
private
$46,490/yr
$185,960 total
Wright State University
public
$9,740/yr
$38,960 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Sinclair Community College
$4,344/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Dayton
Dayton offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Dayton Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Ohio Cities
Columbus, OH
$49K starting · COL 103
31 colleges
Cleveland, OH
$46K starting · COL 96
20 colleges
Cincinnati, OH
$49K starting · COL 102
28 colleges
Toledo, OH
$52K starting · COL 108
16 colleges
Akron, OH
$50K starting · COL 105
5 colleges
Parma, OH
$43K starting · COL 90
4 colleges
Canton, OH
$40K starting · COL 84
4 colleges
Lorain, OH
$41K starting · COL 85.2
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Dayton
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 Dayton — 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 Dayton.