Graphic Design Degree in Racine, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Racine, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$41K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.3 yrs
in Racine
Cost of Living
85.8
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Racine, WI Overview
While Racine has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Graphic Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,562/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 Racine is approximately $41,184.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,600/yr
Private Tuition
$34,000/yr
Room & Board
$12,562/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,051/yr
Unemployment
2.1%
Graduation Rate
72%
Graphic Design Salary in Racine (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Racine's cost of living index of 85.8 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Racine adjustment factor: 0.86x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Racine
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Racine tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,600 | Private avg: $34,000
Racine avg aid: $8,051/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,648
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$11,154
vs HS diploma in Racine
ROI Payback Period
8.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Racine
$233,392
Lifetime earnings premium ($326,040) minus total education cost ($92,648)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Racine
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Racine for Graphic Design
Racine State University
public
$11,121/yr
$44,484 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Racine Community College
$5,143/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Racine
Racine offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Racine 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
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
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 Racine
UX Design
$43K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$43K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$43K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$43K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$43K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$43K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Racine — 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 Racine.