Graphic Design Degree in Wilmington, NC — Salary & ROI 2026
Graphic Design degree analysis for Wilmington, NC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$68K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Wilmington
Cost of Living
95
index (100 = avg)
Graphic Design in Wilmington, NC Overview
While Wilmington has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Graphic Design students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $9,779/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 Wilmington is approximately $45,600.
Category
Arts & Design
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$7,287/yr
Private Tuition
$34,393/yr
Room & Board
$9,779/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,831/yr
Unemployment
6.8%
Graduation Rate
48%
Graphic Design Salary in Wilmington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Wilmington's cost of living index of 95 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Graphic Design salary: $48,000 starting, $72,000 mid-career, $88,000 senior level.Wilmington adjustment factor: 0.95x based on the local cost of living index.
Graphic Design ROI Calculator for Wilmington
Estimate your return on investment for a Graphic Design degree using local Wilmington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,287 | Private avg: $34,393
Wilmington avg aid: $13,831/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$68,264
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,350
vs HS diploma in Wilmington
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Wilmington
$292,736
Lifetime earnings premium ($361,000) minus total education cost ($68,264)
Student Loan Payoff for Graphic Design in Wilmington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Wilmington for Graphic Design
University of North Carolina Wilmington
public
$7,287/yr
$29,148 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Cape Fear Community College
$2,864/yr
Top Employers for Graphic Design in Wilmington
Wilmington offers opportunities in Design agencies, Studios, Tech companies for Graphic Design graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Wilmington Hiring Sectors for Arts & Design
Design agencies
Studios
Tech companies
Advertising firms
Media companies
Common Graphic Design Job Titles
Graphic Design in Nearby North Carolina Cities
Charlotte, NC
$43K starting · COL 89
39 colleges
Raleigh, NC
$40K starting · COL 83
21 colleges
Greensboro, NC
$44K starting · COL 91
17 colleges
Durham, NC
$52K starting · COL 109
25 colleges
Winston-Salem, NC
$51K starting · COL 106
26 colleges
Fayetteville, NC
$43K starting · COL 90
15 colleges
Cary, NC
$52K starting · COL 108.5
7 colleges
High Point, NC
$41K starting · COL 84.5
5 colleges
Other Arts & Design Majors in Wilmington
UX Design
$48K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Architecture
$55K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Animation & Game Design
$48K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Industrial Design
$48K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Interior Design
$48K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Fashion Design
$48K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Film & Media Studies
$48K starting · 7.5 yr ROI
Fine Arts
$48K starting · 9 yr ROI
Graphic Design Degree in Wilmington — 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 Wilmington.