Graphic Design Degree in Montgomery, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Montgomery, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.4 yrs
in Montgomery
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Montgomery, AL Overview
Montgomery is one of Alabama's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 17,419. Public tuition averages $10,814/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 Montgomery is approximately $44,160.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
21
Public Tuition
$10,814/yr
Private Tuition
$29,622/yr
Room & Board
$11,372/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,044/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
46%
Graphic Design Salary in Montgomery (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Montgomery's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Montgomery adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Montgomery
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Montgomery tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,814 | Private avg: $29,622
Montgomery avg aid: $7,044/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$88,744
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,960
vs HS diploma in Montgomery
ROI Payback Period
7.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Montgomery
$260,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($349,600) minus total education cost ($88,744)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Montgomery
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Montgomery for Graphic Design
Alabama State University
public
$11,068/yr
$44,272 total
Auburn University at Montgomery
public
$10,560/yr
$42,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Trenholm State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Montgomery
Montgomery offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Montgomery Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$47K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Birmingham, AL
$42K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Mobile, AL
$47K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$37K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$46K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$49K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$40K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$40K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Montgomery
UX Design
$46K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$46K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$46K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$46K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$46K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$46K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$46K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Montgomery — 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 Montgomery.