Graphic Design Degree in Lakewood, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Lakewood, CO. 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
7.9 yrs
in Lakewood
Cost of Living
105.8
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Lakewood, CO Overview
Lakewood, Colorado (pop. 155,984) has 6 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 105.8 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,395/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Lakewood is approximately $50,784.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$12,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$15,028/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,371/yr
Unemployment
2.9%
Graduation Rate
73%
Graphic Design Salary in Lakewood (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lakewood's cost of living index of 105.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Lakewood adjustment factor: 1.06x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Lakewood
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Lakewood tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Lakewood avg aid: $8,371/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$108,912
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,754
vs HS diploma in Lakewood
ROI Payback Period
7.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lakewood
$293,128
Lifetime earnings premium ($402,040) minus total education cost ($108,912)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Lakewood
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lakewood for Graphic Design
Lakewood State University
public
$11,245/yr
$44,980 total
University of Lakewood
public
$12,683/yr
$50,732 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lakewood Community College
$5,959/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Lakewood
Lakewood offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lakewood Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$61K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$59K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$53K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Fort Collins, CO
$60K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Thornton, CO
$49K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$51K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$50K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$59K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Lakewood
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 Lakewood — 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 Lakewood.