Graphic Design Degree in Fort Worth, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Fort Worth, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.4 yrs
in Fort Worth
Cost of Living
101
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Fort Worth, TX Overview
Fort Worth, Texas (pop. 918,915) has 19 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 101 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,344/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Fort Worth is approximately $48,480.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
19
Public Tuition
$10,870/yr
Private Tuition
$43,547/yr
Room & Board
$10,247/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,933/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
68%
Graphic Design Salary in Fort Worth (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fort Worth's cost of living index of 101 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Fort Worth adjustment factor: 1.01x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Fort Worth
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Fort Worth tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,870 | Private avg: $43,547
Fort Worth avg aid: $7,933/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$84,468
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,130
vs HS diploma in Fort Worth
ROI Payback Period
6.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fort Worth
$299,332
Lifetime earnings premium ($383,800) minus total education cost ($84,468)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Fort Worth
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fort Worth for Graphic Design
Texas Christian University
private
$54,620/yr
$218,480 total
Texas Wesleyan University
private
$32,474/yr
$129,896 total
University of Texas at Arlington
public
$10,870/yr
$43,480 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tarrant County College
$2,220/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Fort Worth
Fort Worth offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fort Worth Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$55K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$58K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$50K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$51K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
El Paso, TX
$45K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$45K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$39K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Plano, TX
$41K starting · COL 85
9 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Fort Worth
UX Design
$51K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$59K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$51K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$51K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$51K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$51K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$51K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Fort Worth — 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 Fort Worth.