Graphic Design Degree in Richmond, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Richmond, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.9 yrs
in Richmond
Cost of Living
100
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Richmond, VA Overview
Richmond, Virginia (pop. 226,610) has 11 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 100 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $737/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Richmond is approximately $48,000.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$14,676/yr
Private Tuition
$58,570/yr
Room & Board
$10,932/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,068/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
65%
Graphic Design Salary in Richmond (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Richmond's cost of living index of 100 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Richmond adjustment factor: 1.00x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Richmond
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Richmond tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,676 | Private avg: $58,570
Richmond avg aid: $9,068/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$102,432
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,000
vs HS diploma in Richmond
ROI Payback Period
7.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Richmond
$277,568
Lifetime earnings premium ($380,000) minus total education cost ($102,432)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Richmond
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Richmond for Graphic Design
Virginia Commonwealth University
public
$14,676/yr
$58,704 total
University of Richmond
private
$58,570/yr
$234,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Reynolds Community College
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Richmond
Richmond offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Richmond Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$42K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$44K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$68K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$45K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Newport News, VA
$44K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$49K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$47K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$42K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Richmond
UX Design
$50K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$50K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$50K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$50K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$50K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$50K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$50K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Richmond — 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 Richmond.