WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+1% vs national median78 grads tracked

Graphic Communications at College Of DuPage

Ranked 4th of 9 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Graphic Communications by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$42,146
middle 50%: $27,237 – $59,848
Median · 5 years out
$43,047
middle 50%: $34,002 – $58,858
Median · 10 years out
$54,522
middle 50%: $40,113 – $66,976

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Graphic Communications (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of College Of DuPage's certificate (1-2 years) program in Graphic Communications earn a median $42,146 one year after graduating, rising to $54,522 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% above the national median of $42,523 for this field, ranking 4th of 9 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
8.8 yrs
≈ $9,944 total interest

Same major at other universities

William Rainey Harper College
$46,298 · 5 yrs out
Linn-Benton Community College
$44,669 · 5 yrs out
Front Range Community College
$43,384 · 5 yrs out
Columbus State Community College
$42,523 · 5 yrs out
Des Moines Area Community College
$41,695 · 5 yrs out
Leeward Community College
$36,628 · 5 yrs out
Lane Community College
$33,582 · 5 yrs out
Danville Community College
$29,849 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at College Of DuPage

Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$105,399 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$105,399 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$96,190 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Certificate)
$90,582 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$87,221 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$86,855 · 5 yrs out
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection (Associate)
$86,086 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$81,833 · 5 yrs out
Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications (Certificate)
$81,462 · 5 yrs out
Geography and Cartography (Certificate)
$80,415 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$80,258 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Certificate)
$79,787 · 5 yrs out

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