Graphic Design Degree in Medford, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Medford, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$80K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7 yrs
in Medford
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Medford, OR Overview
While Medford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Graphic Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,881/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 Medford is approximately $53,280.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,326/yr
Private Tuition
$41,865/yr
Room & Board
$14,881/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,464/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
67%
Graphic Design Salary in Medford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Medford's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Medford adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Medford
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Medford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,326 | Private avg: $41,865
Medford avg aid: $14,464/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$100,828
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,430
vs HS diploma in Medford
ROI Payback Period
7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Medford
$320,972
Lifetime earnings premium ($421,800) minus total education cost ($100,828)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Medford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Medford for Graphic Design
Southern Oregon University
public
$10,326/yr
$41,304 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rogue Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Medford
Medford offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Medford Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$54K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$62K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$58K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$53K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$55K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$51K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$51K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$58K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Medford
UX Design
$56K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$64K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$56K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$56K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$56K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$56K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Medford — 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 Medford.