Graphic Design Degree in Knoxville, TN — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Knoxville, TN. 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
6.9 yrs
in Knoxville
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Knoxville, TN Overview
While Knoxville has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Graphic Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $10,300/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 Knoxville is approximately $40,800.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$8,792/yr
Private Tuition
$47,660/yr
Room & Board
$10,300/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,344/yr
Unemployment
6.6%
Graduation Rate
47%
Graphic Design Salary in Knoxville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Knoxville's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Knoxville adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Knoxville
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Knoxville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,792 | Private avg: $47,660
Knoxville avg aid: $10,344/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$76,368
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,050
vs HS diploma in Knoxville
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Knoxville
$246,632
Lifetime earnings premium ($323,000) minus total education cost ($76,368)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Knoxville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Knoxville for Graphic Design
University of Tennessee
public
$13,264/yr
$53,056 total
Pellissippi State Community College
public
$4,320/yr
$17,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pellissippi State Community College
$4,320/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Knoxville
Knoxville offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Knoxville Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Tennessee Cities
Nashville, TN
$44K starting · COL 92
35 colleges
Memphis, TN
$45K starting · COL 93
22 colleges
Chattanooga, TN
$38K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Clarksville, TN
$43K starting · COL 90
9 colleges
Murfreesboro, TN
$44K starting · COL 91
10 colleges
Franklin, TN
$57K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Jackson, TN
$40K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Johnson City, TN
$50K starting · COL 105
6 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Knoxville
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 Knoxville — 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 Knoxville.