Graphic Design Degree in Kenosha, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Kenosha, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$76K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Kenosha
Cost of Living
106
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Kenosha, WI Overview
Kenosha, Wisconsin (pop. 99,986) has 8 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 106 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $668/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Kenosha is approximately $50,880.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
8
Public Tuition
$7,620/yr
Private Tuition
$37,840/yr
Room & Board
$12,059/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,562/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Graphic Design Salary in Kenosha (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Kenosha's cost of living index of 106 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Kenosha adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Kenosha
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Kenosha tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,620 | Private avg: $37,840
Kenosha avg aid: $15,562/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$78,716
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,780
vs HS diploma in Kenosha
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Kenosha
$324,084
Lifetime earnings premium ($402,800) minus total education cost ($78,716)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Kenosha
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Kenosha for Graphic Design
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
public
$7,620/yr
$30,480 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Gateway Technical College
$4,620/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Kenosha
Kenosha offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Kenosha Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$45K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Madison, WI
$43K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$41K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Racine, WI
$41K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Appleton, WI
$38K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$43K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$41K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$51K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Kenosha
UX Design
$53K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$61K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$53K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$53K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$53K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$53K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Kenosha — 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 Kenosha.