Graphic Design Degree in High Point, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for High Point, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$41K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$61K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8 yrs
in High Point
Cost of Living
84.5
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in High Point, NC Overview
While High Point has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Graphic Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,724/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in High Point is approximately $40,560.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,200/yr
Private Tuition
$34,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,724/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,013/yr
Unemployment
3%
Graduation Rate
60%
Graphic Design Salary in High Point (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for High Point's cost of living index of 84.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.High Point adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for High Point
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local High Point tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,200 | Private avg: $34,000
High Point avg aid: $8,013/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$87,696
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,985
vs HS diploma in High Point
ROI Payback Period
8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in High Point
$233,404
Lifetime earnings premium ($321,100) minus total education cost ($87,696)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in High Point
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in High Point for Graphic Design
High Point State University
public
$9,967/yr
$39,868 total
University of High Point
public
$9,547/yr
$38,188 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
High Point Community College
$5,591/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in High Point
High Point offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key High Point Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$43K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$40K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$44K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$52K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$51K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$43K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$52K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
Wilmington, NC
$46K starting · COL 95
5 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in High Point
UX Design
$42K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$42K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$42K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$42K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$42K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in High Point — 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 High Point.