Graphic Design Degree in Lawrence, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Lawrence, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$78K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Lawrence
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Lawrence, KS Overview
While Lawrence has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Graphic Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,971/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 Lawrence is approximately $51,840.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$5,898/yr
Private Tuition
$33,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,971/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,187/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
53%
Graphic Design Salary in Lawrence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lawrence's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Lawrence adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Lawrence
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Lawrence tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $5,898 | Private avg: $33,400
Lawrence avg aid: $12,187/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$75,476
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,040
vs HS diploma in Lawrence
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lawrence
$334,924
Lifetime earnings premium ($410,400) minus total education cost ($75,476)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Lawrence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lawrence for Graphic Design
University of Kansas
public
$11,166/yr
$44,664 total
Haskell Indian Nations University
public
$630/yr
$2,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Johnson County Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Lawrence
Lawrence offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lawrence Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$50K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$49K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$40K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$46K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$40K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$42K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$46K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$46K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Lawrence
UX Design
$54K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$63K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$54K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$54K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$54K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Lawrence — 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 Lawrence.