First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from Liberty 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 21 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 81%, Graphic Design graduates from Liberty University have a much higher likelihood (+14%) 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 9% 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:
Relevance score: 88%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2022 from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts - BFA in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONGraphic DesignerKing Design Co. Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 Sar by Sar Freelance Feb 2022 - Present Graphic Designer Painted Finch Gallery Oct 2022 - Present Business Development Coordinator Leisure Time Powersports Feb 2023 - Present ABOUT23 | BFA: Graphic Design | Photography | Illustration | Website DesignMy experience includes freelance work as well as part time. I have worked for companies, businesses, and individuals such as Leisure Time: Honda Suzuki, the Painted Finch Gallery, Camp Findley Lake, and King Design Co. I assisted in creating ads, brochures, business cards, billboards, logos, and more. In my free time, I am working on my own business and shop called SarbySar (s-air, by, s-air). I have been working on opening an Etsy shop where I will be selling stickers and prints of my work. My Skills: Adobe Creative Cloud: Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, XD, and Lightroom Microsoft Programs: Word, PowerPoint, and ExcelProcreate & Clip Studio PaintWordPress & ShopifySocial Media:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sarbysar/Behanced - https://www.behance.net/snbarwell |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the job history of graduates from Liberty University who studied Graphic Design, you'll notice a mix of roles that generally fit into a few main categories. A lot of them have moved into graphic designer positions, where they are hands-on applying what they learned about design principles and software. For example, jobs like Graphic Designer, Art Director, and Freelance Graphic Designer are quite common and fit neatly within the graphic design field. So, you'll see that many graduates are indeed doing work that closely relates to their degree, such as creating marketing materials, designing visual content, and managing creative projects.
However, it's also interesting to note that not all jobs they took after graduation are directly related to graphic design. Some alumni ended up in roles like marketing or administrative positions where their design skills weren’t fully utilized. Jobs like Registered Nurse, Teller at a bank, or Patient Care Coordinator show that graduates sometimes take paths that stray far from their design-focused education. Overall, while many find relevant positions that leverage their graphic design skills, there are also quite a few who venture into unrelated fields for various reasons, highlighting the diverse career choices available to graduates regardless of major.
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 Liberty University):
When looking at the career trajectories of Liberty University graduates with a degree in Graphic Design, it’s clear that many started off in relatively entry-level positions that are at least somewhat related to design, like internships or assistant roles. For instance, graduates from the early 2010s often began their careers as marketing assistants or graphic design interns before moving on to more substantial roles. Over time, a significant number have transitioned into dedicated graphic design or creative roles, whether as full-time designers, freelance artists, or in managerial positions like Art Director and Marketing Manager. This indicates that there is a solid foundation being built right after graduation, typically involving relevant experience that aligns with their degree.
Fast forward five to ten years, and many graduates seem to be thriving in their design careers, with numerous individuals advancing to senior roles or specializing in areas like motion graphics and multimedia design. However, it’s worth noting that not everyone sticks strictly to graphic design. Some have veered off into other fields, such as marketing, nursing, or even real estate, which could suggest that the job market might not always provide abundant opportunities directly tied to graphic design for every graduate. Still, the overall trend shows that a good number continue to pursue careers related to their degree, and many seem to have established a solid footing in the industry. For someone considering this path, it suggests that while the journey may have twists and turns, there are promising prospects for those committed to the graphic design field.
A Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, including at places like Liberty University, can be a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. On one hand, if you're into art and creativity, you might find some of the classes to be pretty fun and engaging, especially when you get to work on projects that let you express your style. But don’t get it twisted; it’s not all easy breezy. You'll have to tackle some tough concepts in design theory, software skills, and maybe even marketing, depending on the program. Plus, staying on top of deadlines and producing high-quality work can be challenging and stressful. Overall, I'd say it's about average in terms of difficulty—if you're passionate about art and willing to put in the effort, you’ll likely find it more enjoyable than hard!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design.
Looking at these Liberty University Graphic Design grads, it seems like they’ve had a varied experience when it comes to making money. The early years for some, like the 2012 grad who shifted to nursing after a stint in real estate marketing, didn't scream big bucks right away, but they found paths that could pay off later. Others have done pretty well, landing solid design roles and even climbing the ladder to senior positions, like the 2018 grad who became a Senior Art Director. However, a bunch are still doing freelance work or internships, which can be hit or miss with income. Overall, while some seem to be on the up-and-up, it looks like they’ve all been piecing together their careers, which means the financial side can vary a lot depending on the path they chose post-graduation.
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 Liberty 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: