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First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from Colorado State University 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 74%, Graphic Design graduates from Colorado State University have a higher likelihood (+7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 33% 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:
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Relevance score: 82% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPublic Relations Consultant AMGMedia Publishers LLC Jun 2020 - Aug 2020 Marketing Media Specialist  Kodo Oct 2020 - Nov 2021 Marketing Coordinator  Perkins&Will Nov 2021 - Present ABOUTMarketing and communications specialist in the A/E/C industry. Skilled in crafting compelling narratives, managing public relations, creating impactful visuals, and driving social media engagement. Passionate about translating complex projects into captivating stories.Freelance architectural photographer available for select projects. Let's connect to discuss how we can bring your vision to life through powerful imagery! |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From analyzing various LinkedIn profiles of Colorado State University graduates with a degree in Graphic Design, it’s clear that many of them find themselves in roles that align closely with their education. A significant number of graduates have taken up positions such as Graphic Designer, Senior Designer, and Art Director, which directly apply the skills and knowledge gained during their studies. Jobs like Junior Designer at Ignition and Freelance Graphic Designer also showcase practical use of design skills in creative environments, which are definitely relevant to what they learned in school.
However, there are also a fair number of profiles where graduates have ventured into roles that don’t entirely utilize their graphic design education. Positions like Elementary School Teacher, Flight Attendant, and various customer service roles didn’t require any design expertise. Although some roles had a sliver of design involvement, like Marketing Specialist and Conference Services Manager, they were more about marketing or event management than actual graphic design work. Overall, while a good chunk of these graduates land jobs in fields directly tied to graphic design, there’s still a noticeable number who end up in unrelated areas, illustrating a mix of both relevant and non-relevant career paths after their degree.
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 Colorado State University):
When you look at the careers of Graphic Design graduates from Colorado State University, it’s pretty clear that many of them have taken solid paths in the design world. A common theme for the first job after graduation tends to be entry-level positions like graphic designer or internships. For example, some of the students jumped straight into internships or freelance work, while others started out in related marketing roles or design assistant positions. As they gained experience, many of them have moved on to more prominent roles, such as art directors or creative directors, which is a pretty exciting trajectory. Just check out that one grad who went from a Junior Designer at Ignition to a Global Brand Director at Pax8—all in just over a decade!
However, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. While a good number of graduates have gone on to establish meaningful careers in graphic design, some have taken pretty unconventional routes. You find instances where graduates transitioned into unrelated fields like teaching, and even jobs in hospitality or service industries. It shows that a degree in graphic design can sometimes lead to a broader range of career options, but it might not always keep you in the design lane. That said, a lot of those graduates who initially stepped away from design seem to circle back, often taking freelance gigs or part-time projects that let them flex those creative muscles while working in other areas. Overall, if you're thinking about pursuing graphic design at Colorado State, you can definitely expect a mix of exciting opportunities and some winding paths!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design can be a pretty challenging but rewarding journey, not just at Colorado State University, but anywhere you go. You'll be juggling a mix of creative projects, technical skills, and theory, which can be a lot to handle if you’re not super passionate about design. Expect long hours working on projects, critiques that can feel intense, and the need to stay current with design software and trends. It’s definitely not a walk in the park—there’s a good amount of work involved. But if you love being creative and pushing your limits, it can be a lot of fun and totally worth it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design.
So, looking at these Graphic Design graduates from Colorado State University, it seems like they've had a pretty mixed bag when it comes to their earnings. The ones who landed gigs with big-name companies like Disney and Ibotta have likely raked in decent salaries, especially as they've moved up the ladder into roles like Creative Director and Product Designer. On the other hand, a few of them stuck to roles that seem a bit more entry-level or service-oriented for a while, like teaching and being waitstaff, which probably didn’t pay as well. Overall, it looks like some of these grads are doing pretty well with their careers, while others are still finding their way. It’s really a classic case of “you get what you put in” in terms of experience and opportunities!
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 Colorado State University). This may or may not be useful:
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:
