Graphic Design Degree in Lee's Summit, MO — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Lee's Summit, MO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.9 yrs
in Lee's Summit
Cost of Living
95.5
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Lee's Summit, MO Overview
While Lee's Summit has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Graphic Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,180/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 Lee's Summit is approximately $45,840.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,200/yr
Private Tuition
$30,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,180/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,461/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Graduation Rate
45%
Graphic Design Salary in Lee's Summit (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lee's Summit's cost of living index of 95.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Lee's Summit adjustment factor: 0.95x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Lee's Summit
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Lee's Summit tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,200 | Private avg: $30,000
Lee's Summit avg aid: $8,461/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$97,520
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,415
vs HS diploma in Lee's Summit
ROI Payback Period
7.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lee's Summit
$265,380
Lifetime earnings premium ($362,900) minus total education cost ($97,520)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Lee's Summit
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lee's Summit for Graphic Design
Lee's Summit State University
public
$9,311/yr
$37,244 total
University of Lee's Summit
public
$11,299/yr
$45,196 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lee's Summit Community College
$5,472/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lee's Summit Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Missouri Cities
Kansas City, MO
$45K starting · COL 94
44 colleges
St. Louis, MO
$47K starting · COL 97
23 colleges
Springfield, MO
$38K starting · COL 80
5 colleges
Columbia, MO
$40K starting · COL 84
10 colleges
Independence, MO
$41K starting · COL 85.8
5 colleges
OFallon, MO
$42K starting · COL 87.3
4 colleges
St. Joseph, MO
$43K starting · COL 90.4
3 colleges
St. Charles, MO
$40K starting · COL 83.4
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Lee's Summit
UX Design
$48K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$55K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$48K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$48K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$48K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$48K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$48K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$48K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Lee's Summit — 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 Lee's Summit.