Graphic Design Degree in Long Beach, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Long Beach, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Long Beach
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Long Beach, CA Overview
Long Beach, California (pop. 466,742) has 14 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 116 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,546/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Long Beach is approximately $55,680.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$4,169/yr
Private Tuition
$9,960/yr
Room & Board
$17,446/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,553/yr
Unemployment
6.6%
Graduation Rate
60%
Graphic Design Salary in Long Beach (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Long Beach's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Long Beach adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Long Beach
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Long Beach tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $4,169 | Private avg: $9,960
Long Beach avg aid: $15,553/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,460
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,080
vs HS diploma in Long Beach
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Long Beach
$354,340
Lifetime earnings premium ($440,800) minus total education cost ($86,460)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Long Beach
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Long Beach for Graphic Design
California State University, Long Beach
public
$6,798/yr
$27,192 total
Long Beach City College
public
$1,540/yr
$6,160 total
Pacific Coast University School of Law
private
$9,960/yr
$39,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Long Beach City College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Long Beach
Long Beach offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Long Beach Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$68K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$67K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$62K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$55K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$57K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$54K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Oakland, CA
$63K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Bakersfield, CA
$64K starting · COL 134
18 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Long Beach
UX Design
$58K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$67K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$58K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$58K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$58K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$58K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$58K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Long Beach — 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 Long Beach.