Graphic Design Degree in Killeen, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Killeen, TX. 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
8.8 yrs
in Killeen
Cost of Living
85.2
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Killeen, TX Overview
Killeen, Texas (pop. 153,095) has 6 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 85.2 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $585/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Killeen is approximately $40,896.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$10,900/yr
Private Tuition
$36,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,516/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,816/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
58%
Graphic Design Salary in Killeen (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Killeen's cost of living index of 85.2 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Killeen adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Killeen
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Killeen tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000
Killeen avg aid: $10,816/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,664
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,076
vs HS diploma in Killeen
ROI Payback Period
8.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Killeen
$226,096
Lifetime earnings premium ($323,760) minus total education cost ($97,664)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Killeen
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Killeen for Graphic Design
Killeen State University
public
$10,256/yr
$41,024 total
University of Killeen
public
$10,971/yr
$43,884 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Killeen Community College
$5,619/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Killeen
Killeen offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Killeen 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 Killeen
UX Design
$43K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$43K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$43K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$43K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$43K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Killeen — 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 Killeen.