Graphic Design Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Syracuse, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$99K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.7 yrs
in Syracuse
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Syracuse, NY Overview
Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $65,760.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$14,304/yr
Private Tuition
$57,750/yr
Room & Board
$19,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,141/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
62%
Graphic Design Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Syracuse
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Syracuse tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750
Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$136,800
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,810
vs HS diploma in Syracuse
ROI Payback Period
7.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Syracuse
$383,800
Lifetime earnings premium ($520,600) minus total education cost ($136,800)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Syracuse
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Syracuse for Graphic Design
Syracuse University
private
$57,750/yr
$231,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Onondaga Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Syracuse
Syracuse offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Syracuse Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$80K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$90K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$70K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$59K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$68K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$73K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$70K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Rochester, NY
$67K starting · COL 140
13 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Syracuse
UX Design
$69K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$79K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$69K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$69K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$69K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$69K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$69K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$69K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Syracuse — 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 Syracuse.