Graphic Design Degree in Tulsa, OK — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Tulsa, OK. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$40K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Tulsa
Cost of Living
84
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Tulsa, OK Overview
Tulsa, Oklahoma (pop. 413,066) has 15 colleges offering Graphic Design programs. The local cost of living index of 84 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,113/month. Graphic Design enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and Typography. The adjusted starting salary in Tulsa is approximately $40,320.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$6,582/yr
Private Tuition
$38,753/yr
Room & Board
$10,330/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,592/yr
Unemployment
4.1%
Graduation Rate
64%
Graphic Design Salary in Tulsa (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tulsa's cost of living index of 84 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Tulsa adjustment factor: 0.84x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Tulsa
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Tulsa tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,582 | Private avg: $38,753
Tulsa avg aid: $7,592/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$67,648
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$10,920
vs HS diploma in Tulsa
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tulsa
$251,552
Lifetime earnings premium ($319,200) minus total education cost ($67,648)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Tulsa
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tulsa for Graphic Design
University of Tulsa
private
$44,726/yr
$178,904 total
Oral Roberts University
private
$32,780/yr
$131,120 total
Oklahoma State University-Tulsa
public
$6,582/yr
$26,328 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tulsa Community College
$3,558/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Tulsa
Tulsa offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tulsa Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby Oklahoma Cities
Oklahoma City, OK
$47K starting · COL 97
37 colleges
Norman, OK
$41K starting · COL 86
10 colleges
Broken Arrow, OK
$44K starting · COL 91.8
5 colleges
Edmond, OK
$46K starting · COL 95.2
4 colleges
Lawton, OK
$40K starting · COL 82.5
4 colleges
Moore, OK
$43K starting · COL 89.3
3 colleges
Midwest City, OK
$44K starting · COL 91.1
3 colleges
Stillwater, OK
$42K starting · COL 87.3
3 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Tulsa
UX Design
$42K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$49K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$42K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$42K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$42K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$42K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$42K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Tulsa — 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 Tulsa.