What can you do with a Graphic Design degree from California State University-Long Beach?

First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from California State University-Long Beach we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 75%, Graphic Design graduates from California State University-Long Beach have a higher likelihood (+8%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 75%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 14% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Graphic Design graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Graphic Design graduate from California State University-Long Beach and our analysis:


Relevance score: 17%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from California State University-Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Studio Art in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Freelance Graphic Designer
Waterfront Collection
Jul 2015 - Jul 2015
As a Freelance Graphic Designer, this role directly utilizes the core skills and knowledge gained from a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with a focus on Graphic Design, requiring strong design abilities on a daily basis.

Military Export Agent
Round-the-World Logistics (USA) Corp
Aug 2015 - Sep 2016
The position of Military Export Agent does not require any skills or knowledge related to graphic design, focusing instead on logistics and military export regulations that are unrelated to the degree.

Domestic Inside Sales Representative
SureFire
Sep 2016 - Jun 2018
Being a Domestic Inside Sales Representative involves sales skills and customer relationship management, which do not correlate with the qualifications of a degree in Graphic Design.

Business Development Administrator
B.E. Meyers & Co., Inc.
Jul 2018 - Jul 2021
The position of Business Development Administrator may involve some transferable skills in communication and presentation, but it is not centered on graphic design knowledge or skills on a daily basis.

Administrative Assistant - Production Services
Cascade Corporation
Oct 2021 - Present
The role of Administrative Assistant - Production Services is primarily administrative and does not require the specific design skills or knowledge related to the Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with a focus on Graphic Design.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Graphic Design degree from California State University-Long Beach?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


From sifting through LinkedIn profiles of folks who studied Graphic Design at California State University-Long Beach, it’s clear that a lot of them landed roles directly tied to graphic design. Positions like Graphic Designer, Lead Designer, and Senior Designer pop up frequently, indicating that many of these grads are in jobs where they’re actively applying the skills learned in their degree programs. Companies like Google, Mattel, and Disney are notable employers, which shows that the degree has good recognition in the industry. A good chunk of these roles involves creating visual content, working with branding, and other tasks that are squarely in the graphic design realm.

However, it’s worth mentioning that not every graduate stuck strictly to design-related jobs. Some ventured into fields like marketing or project management, where the graphic design link is more of a stretch. For instance, roles like Marketing Specialist or Administrative Assistant don't necessarily leverage the core skills learned in a graphic design program. Overall, while the majority found work that fits their background and expertise, a few ended up in positions that only tangentially relate. But, in general, if you’re considering a graphic design path, it seems there are solid job prospects related to what you’d be studying!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Graphic Design graduates (this is across all Graphic Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University-Long Beach):

What kind of career trajectories do Graphic Design graduates from California State University-Long Beach have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from California State University-Long Beach who studied Graphic Design seem to be starting their careers on pretty solid footing. Many of them secure entry-level graphic design jobs or internships soon after graduation, with roles like Graphic Designer or Junior Designer being common. For instance, a lot of graduates begin their careers at places like television stations, marketing agencies, or even in freelance roles, where they can build their portfolios and gain valuable experience. It’s clear that most of these folks stick to the design industry, using their skills to find work that’s directly related to what they studied, which is a great sign in terms of career relevance.

Fast forward five to ten years, and you'll notice a mix of trajectories among these alumni. Some have climbed the ladder to senior or lead positions, while others have ventured into more specialized areas like UX/UI design or marketing. For example, you see graduates landing impressive roles at major companies like Google, Matel, and Disney, which is a fantastic accomplishment! However, there's also a noticeable number who have pivoted away from graphic design entirely, taking jobs in unrelated fields or becoming freelancers. Overall, while many graduates are indeed thriving in relevant design careers, there is a diversity of paths that shows not every degree holder remains in the graphic design sphere long-term. It’s a mixed bag of success stories and varied professional journeys, reflecting both the challenges and opportunities in the creative industry.

How hard is a Graphic Design degree from California State University-Long Beach?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at California State University-Long Beach can be a pretty challenging experience, but it’s also super rewarding if you’re passionate about design. You’ll dive into a mix of creative and technical courses, learning everything from typography to digital media, and that means you’ll have to put in a lot of time and effort into projects and critiques. It’s not just about making pretty pictures; you’ll be developing your own style while also learning to think critically about design work. Some folks find it easier because they love the subject, while others might struggle with the workload and deadlines. Overall, it’s a bit tougher than your average degree, but if you’re into it, you’ll probably enjoy the ride!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 6 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design.

Do Graphic Design graduates from California State University-Long Beach tend to make good money?

From what I can see, it looks like some of these Graphic Design graduates from California State University-Long Beach have been doing pretty well, while others are still finding their groove. A few of the more experienced grads landed roles at big names like Google and Disney, which usually means they’re making solid money. However, some recent grads have taken on freelance gigs or entry-level jobs that typically don’t pay as much. So, overall, while there’s definitely potential for decent earnings in the field, it seems like it can really vary based on the specific roles and firms they’ve ended up with. It's kind of like a roller coaster—it can be a wild ride with some ups and downs!

What buzzwords do Graphic Design graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design (this is across all Graphic Design graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University-Long Beach). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Graphic Design?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design (ordered by the average relevance score of their Graphic Design graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
ArtCenter College of Design 97 10
Florida Atlantic University 95 11
Rhode Island School of Design 93 12
Brigham Young University 92 10
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 90 14
Massachusetts College of Art and Design 90 10
University of Houston 89 14
Kendall College of Art and Design 87 15
Auburn University 85 11
George Mason University 85 18
Savannah College of Art and Design 85 47
California State University-Sacramento 83 13
Iowa State University 82 16
Louisiana State University 82 13
San Diego State University 82 17
Liberty University 81 21
Drexel University 81 13
School of Visual Arts 81 18
Illinois State University 79 15
Utah Valley University 78 10
University of Central Florida 77 10
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 77 12
Towson University 76 15
Portland State University 76 18
Kean University 76 12
Saginaw Valley State University 76 11
California State University-Long Beach 75 14
Colorado State University 74 12
Virginia Commonwealth University 74 10
Art Institute of Pittsburgh 74 11
Pennsylvania College of Technology 72 10
University of Wisconsin-Stout 71 13
The Art Institutes 71 34
James Madison University 70 14
Brigham Young University - Idaho 70 15
Columbia College Chicago 69 18
State University of New York College at Oswego 69 10
Pensacola Christian College 69 11
San Jose State University 68 17
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 68 10
University of Massachusetts Lowell 63 18
Queens College 62 21
Oakland University 59 10
Southern New Hampshire University 50 16
Full Sail University 50 47
Georgia Southern University 50 10