Graphic Communications at Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake City, UT · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 17,247 students in Salt Lake City, UT.

Program Analysis

At $23,932/yr, Graphic Communications graduates from Salt Lake Community College land near the $24,808 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 30.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Graphic Communications graduates.

The median debt load of $8,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #9 out of 17 programs, Salt Lake Community College's financial outcomes for Graphic Communications trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 55 registered apprenticeships mapped to Graphic Communications, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

31 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
28
Low End
31
Score
34
High End
Earnings $23,932/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (51% shielded)
Job Market Large (32,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$274K
3.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
32.2x
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)
$8,514
Out-of-state: $27,402
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,000
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings

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

Graphic Communications opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Graphic Communications career guide →

Compare & Explore

Graphic Communications Overview

Graphic Communications at Other Schools

Other Majors at Salt Lake Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 31/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Graphic Communications at Salt Lake Community College?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Graphic Communications. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Should I worry about AI if I study Graphic Communications at Salt Lake Community College?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $250,381 in decade earnings vs $274,353 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Are there apprenticeship options for Graphic Communications?
If Salt Lake Community College'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 →