Graphic Design Degree in Glendale, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Glendale, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$78K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$117K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in Glendale
Cost of Living
162.4
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Glendale, CA Overview
Glendale, California (pop. 196,543) has 8 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 162.4 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,670/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Glendale is approximately $77,952.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$14,500/yr
Private Tuition
$42,000/yr
Room & Board
$16,677/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,738/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
54%
Graphic Design Salary in Glendale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Glendale's cost of living index of 162.4 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Glendale adjustment factor: 1.62x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Glendale
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Glendale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000
Glendale avg aid: $11,738/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$124,708
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,112
vs HS diploma in Glendale
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Glendale
$492,412
Lifetime earnings premium ($617,120) minus total education cost ($124,708)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Glendale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Glendale for Graphic Design
Glendale State University
public
$14,651/yr
$58,604 total
University of Glendale
public
$14,900/yr
$59,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Glendale Community College
$6,504/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Glendale
Glendale offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Glendale Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$68K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$67K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$62K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$55K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$57K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$54K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$56K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$63K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Glendale
UX Design
$81K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$94K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$81K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$81K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$81K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$81K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$81K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$81K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Glendale — 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 Glendale.