Graphic Design Degree in Lafayette, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Lafayette, LA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$75K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.4 yrs
in Lafayette
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Lafayette, LA Overview
While Lafayette has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Graphic Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $11,349/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 Lafayette is approximately $49,920.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$10,374/yr
Private Tuition
$38,796/yr
Room & Board
$11,349/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,367/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
66%
Graphic Design Salary in Lafayette (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lafayette's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Lafayette adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Lafayette
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Lafayette tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,374 | Private avg: $38,796
Lafayette avg aid: $7,367/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,892
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,520
vs HS diploma in Lafayette
ROI Payback Period
6.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lafayette
$308,308
Lifetime earnings premium ($395,200) minus total education cost ($86,892)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Lafayette
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lafayette for Graphic Design
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
public
$10,374/yr
$41,496 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
South Louisiana Community College
$4,236/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Lafayette
Lafayette offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lafayette Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Louisiana Cities
New Orleans, LA
$43K starting · COL 90
23 colleges
Baton Rouge, LA
$39K starting · COL 82
16 colleges
Shreveport, LA
$48K starting · COL 99
14 colleges
Metairie, LA
$43K starting · COL 89.4
6 colleges
Lake Charles, LA
$38K starting · COL 80
6 colleges
Bossier City, LA
$42K starting · COL 87.8
3 colleges
Kenner, LA
$44K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Lafayette
UX Design
$52K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$52K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$52K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$52K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$52K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$52K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Lafayette — 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 Lafayette.