Graphic Communications at Austin Community College District

Austin, TX · Public · Associate Degree

serving a student body of 25,969 in Austin, TX.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Austin Community College District's Graphic Communications program earn $32,657/yr in their first year — 32% above the $24,808 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

With a 78.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 24% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Graphic Communications career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Austin Community College District ranks #2 among 17 Graphic Communications programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 31% earnings increase from $32,657 to $42,691 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 55 apprenticeship pathways connected to Graphic Communications reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
48
Score
52
High End
Earnings $32,657/yr (32% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (51% shielded)
Job Market Large (32,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$450K
6.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
88.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
5 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$5,100
Out-of-state: $21,180
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,691
31% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Graphic Communications graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Special effects artists and animators $99,800 +1.6% 48%
Desktop publishers $53,620 -12.4% 35%
Prepress technicians and workers $47,300 -14.6% 56%
Special effects artists and animators
$99,800
+1.6% growth 48% AI-proof
Desktop publishers
$53,620
-12.4% growth 35% AI-proof
Prepress technicians and workers
$47,300
-14.6% growth 56% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Graphic Communications Career Guide

What can you do with a Graphic Communications credential from Austin Community College District? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Graphic Communications career guide →

Compare & Explore

Graphic Communications Overview

Graphic Communications at Other Schools

Other Majors at Austin Community College District

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 48/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Graphic Communications at Austin Community College District?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Graphic Communications. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Graphic Communications to AI automation?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $341,665 in decade earnings vs $449,663 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Austin Community College District's Graphic Communications program stand out?
Ranked #2 of 17 programs nationally, Austin Community College District lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Graphic Communications?
If Austin Community College District's tuition gives you pause, consider that 55 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Graphic Communications. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →