Graphic Design Degree in Garland, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Garland, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.7 yrs
in Garland
Cost of Living
89
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Garland, TX Overview
Garland is one of Texas's top college towns, with 23 institutions and a student population of 18,986. Public tuition averages $11,277/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Garland is approximately $42,720.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
23
Public Tuition
$11,277/yr
Private Tuition
$7,560/yr
Room & Board
$10,998/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,785/yr
Unemployment
5.3%
Graduation Rate
55%
Graphic Design Salary in Garland (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Garland's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Garland adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Garland
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Garland tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,277 | Private avg: $7,560
Garland avg aid: $11,785/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$89,100
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,570
vs HS diploma in Garland
ROI Payback Period
7.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Garland
$249,100
Lifetime earnings premium ($338,200) minus total education cost ($89,100)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Garland
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Garland for Graphic Design
Amberton University
private
$7,560/yr
$30,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Dallas College Richland Campus
$2,220/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Garland
Garland offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Garland 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
Fort Worth, TX
$48K starting · COL 101
19 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
Other Arts & Design Majors in Garland
UX Design
$45K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$45K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$45K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Garland — 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 Garland.