Graphic Design Degree in Milwaukee, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Milwaukee, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$45K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$68K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.9 yrs
in Milwaukee
Cost of Living
94
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Milwaukee, WI Overview
Milwaukee is one of Wisconsin's top college towns, with 33 institutions and a student population of 59,419. Public tuition averages $9,782/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Milwaukee is approximately $45,120.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
33
Public Tuition
$9,782/yr
Private Tuition
$45,550/yr
Room & Board
$11,342/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,008/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
63%
Graphic Design Salary in Milwaukee (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Milwaukee's cost of living index of 94 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Milwaukee adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Milwaukee
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Milwaukee tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,782 | Private avg: $45,550
Milwaukee avg aid: $13,008/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$84,496
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,220
vs HS diploma in Milwaukee
ROI Payback Period
6.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Milwaukee
$272,704
Lifetime earnings premium ($357,200) minus total education cost ($84,496)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Milwaukee
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Milwaukee for Graphic Design
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
public
$9,782/yr
$39,128 total
Marquette University
private
$46,510/yr
$186,040 total
Milwaukee School of Engineering
private
$44,589/yr
$178,356 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Milwaukee Area Technical College
$4,620/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Milwaukee
Milwaukee offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Milwaukee 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
Madison, WI
$43K starting · COL 89
11 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 Milwaukee
UX Design
$47K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$55K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$47K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$47K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$47K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$47K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$47K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Milwaukee — 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 Milwaukee.