Graphic Design Degree in Madison, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Madison, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.8 yrs
in Madison
Cost of Living
89
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Madison, WI Overview
Madison, Wisconsin (pop. 269,840) has 11 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 89 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $902/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Madison is approximately $42,720.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$10,725/yr
Private Tuition
$33,350/yr
Room & Board
$11,942/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,815/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
73%
Graphic Design Salary in Madison (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Madison's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Madison adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Madison
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Madison tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,725 | Private avg: $33,350
Madison avg aid: $15,815/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,668
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,570
vs HS diploma in Madison
ROI Payback Period
7.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Madison
$247,532
Lifetime earnings premium ($338,200) minus total education cost ($90,668)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Madison
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Madison for Graphic Design
University of Wisconsin-Madison
public
$10,725/yr
$42,900 total
Edgewood College
private
$33,350/yr
$133,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Madison Area Technical College
$4,632/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Madison
Madison offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Madison Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$45K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$41K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Kenosha, WI
$51K starting · COL 106
8 colleges
Racine, WI
$41K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Appleton, WI
$38K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$43K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$41K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$51K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Madison
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 Madison — 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 Madison.