Graphic Design Degree in Laredo, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Laredo, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$65K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Laredo
Cost of Living
90
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Laredo, TX Overview
Laredo, Texas (pop. 255,305) has 14 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 90 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $982/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Laredo is approximately $43,200.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$7,850/yr
Private Tuition
$40,249/yr
Room & Board
$9,561/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,889/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
60%
Graphic Design Salary in Laredo (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Laredo's cost of living index of 90 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Laredo adjustment factor: 0.90x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Laredo
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Laredo tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,850 | Private avg: $40,249
Laredo avg aid: $9,889/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$69,644
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,700
vs HS diploma in Laredo
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Laredo
$272,356
Lifetime earnings premium ($342,000) minus total education cost ($69,644)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Laredo
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Laredo for Graphic Design
Texas A&M International University
public
$7,850/yr
$31,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Laredo College
$2,604/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Laredo
Laredo offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Laredo 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 Laredo
UX Design
$45K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$45K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$45K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$45K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$45K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$45K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Laredo — 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 Laredo.