Graphic Design Degree in Metairie, LA — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Metairie, LA. 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
8 yrs
in Metairie
Cost of Living
89.4
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Metairie, LA Overview
Metairie, Louisiana (pop. 138,481) has 6 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 89.4 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $645/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Metairie is approximately $42,912.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
6
Public Tuition
$9,800/yr
Private Tuition
$28,000/yr
Room & Board
$13,366/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,835/yr
Unemployment
3.4%
Graduation Rate
57%
Graphic Design Salary in Metairie (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Metairie's cost of living index of 89.4 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Metairie adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Metairie
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Metairie tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,800 | Private avg: $28,000
Metairie avg aid: $14,835/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,664
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,622
vs HS diploma in Metairie
ROI Payback Period
8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Metairie
$247,056
Lifetime earnings premium ($339,720) minus total education cost ($92,664)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Metairie
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Metairie for Graphic Design
Metairie State University
public
$8,983/yr
$35,932 total
University of Metairie
public
$10,583/yr
$42,332 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Metairie Community College
$4,982/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Metairie
Metairie offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Metairie Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Louisiana Cities
New Orleans, LA
$43K starting · COL 90
23 colleges
Baton Rouge, LA
$39K starting · COL 82
16 colleges
Shreveport, LA
$48K starting · COL 99
14 colleges
Lafayette, LA
$50K starting · COL 104
5 colleges
Lake Charles, LA
$38K starting · COL 80
6 colleges
Bossier City, LA
$42K starting · COL 87.8
3 colleges
Kenner, LA
$44K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Metairie
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 Metairie — 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 Metairie.