Graphic Design Degree in Lexington, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Lexington, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$51K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$77K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.6 yrs
in Lexington
Cost of Living
107
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Lexington, KY Overview
Lexington, Kentucky (pop. 322,570) has 14 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 107 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,265/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Lexington is approximately $51,360.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,360/yr
Private Tuition
$42,200/yr
Room & Board
$10,700/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,397/yr
Unemployment
6.4%
Graduation Rate
65%
Graphic Design Salary in Lexington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lexington's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Lexington adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Lexington
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Lexington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,360 | Private avg: $42,200
Lexington avg aid: $8,397/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,240
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,910
vs HS diploma in Lexington
ROI Payback Period
6.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lexington
$314,360
Lifetime earnings premium ($406,600) minus total education cost ($92,240)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Lexington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lexington for Graphic Design
University of Kentucky
public
$12,360/yr
$49,440 total
Transylvania University
private
$42,200/yr
$168,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Lexington
Lexington offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lexington Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Kentucky Cities
Other Arts & Design Majors in Lexington
UX Design
$54K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$62K 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 Lexington — 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 Lexington.