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Graphic Communications at Orange County Community College

Middletown, NY · Public · Associate Degree

a smaller institution with 3,822 students in Middletown, NY.

Program Analysis

Orange County Community College's Graphic Communications program produces graduates earning $22,181/yr — within striking distance of the $24,808 national average for this trade.

With a 19.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Graphic Communications career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #13 ranking among 17 Graphic Communications programs places Orange County Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $22,181 to $25,954 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

27 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
23
Low End
27
Score
30
High End
Earnings $22,181/yr (-11% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (51% shielded)
Job Market Large (32,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$266K
4.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
20.9x
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)
$12,764
Out-of-state: $24,092
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$25,954
17% 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

See the full career breakdown for Graphic Communications — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Orange County Community College and 16 other schools.

Read the full Graphic Communications career guide →

Compare & Explore

Graphic Communications Overview

View all 17 schools offering Graphic Communications →

Graphic Communications at Other Schools

Gnomon ($75,226) Austin Community College District ($32,657) Hawkeye Community College ($29,682) Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology ($26,870) Ozarks Technical Community College ($26,436) Front Range Community College ($25,702) Pikes Peak State College ($25,596) Front Range Community College ($24,989)

Other Majors at Orange County Community College

Nursing ($79,188) Dental Assisting ($64,661) Medical Assisting ($51,727) Criminal Justice ($36,111) Business Administration ($29,595) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($20,630)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Graphic Communications degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Graphic Communications at Orange County Community College?
This program scores 27/100 — on the lower end for Graphic Communications. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
What's the AI risk for Graphic Communications graduates from Orange County Community College?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $232,063 in decade earnings vs $266,373 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Graphic Communications program at Orange County Community College?
Yes — 55 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Graphic Communications career paths, including Assistant Press Operator. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Orange County Community College.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →