What can you do with a Graphic Design degree from Southern New Hampshire University?

First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from Southern New Hampshire 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, Graphic Design graduates from Southern New Hampshire University have a much lower likelihood (-17%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 50%
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 12% 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 Southern New Hampshire University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 65%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Graphics and Digital Media Specialist
Odyssey Systems
Dec 2017 - Dec 2020
The role of Graphics and Digital Media Specialist at Odyssey Systems requires graphic design skills and knowledge that are directly aligned with the Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design.

Freelance - Project Specialist
Self-employed
Jan 2021 - Dec 2022
As a Freelance Project Specialist, this position may involve some design-related tasks, but it is not explicitly focused on graphic design, making its relevance limited.

Graphics and Digital Media Coordinator
Imaginate Your Space
Mar 2022 - Jan 2023
The Graphics and Digital Media Coordinator at Imaginate Your Space directly utilizes graphic design skills learned during the Bachelor's program, making it highly relevant.

Special Event Coordinator
Cuselight
Jan 2023 - Present
The role of Special Event Coordinator at Cuselight primarily involves event planning and coordination skills, which are not directly related to the graphic design knowledge from the Bachelor's degree.

ABOUT

I graduated from Southern New Hampshire University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design and Digital Media. I have a great passion for art and which is why I love Graphic Design. Over the years I have dealt with the Adobe Suite to carry out projects both for personal and business use. I have done a variety of work for both digital and print media from infographics, presentation templates, and website layouts, to brochures, business cards, and more. My goal is to obtain a full-time position in the field of graphics and multi media design.

What jobs can you get with a Graphic Design degree from Southern New Hampshire University?

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


So, looking at all these jobs that folks from Southern New Hampshire University have landed after getting their Graphic Design degree, it seems like there's a bit of a mixed bag. A lot of graduates did end up with positions that seem related to graphic design, especially in marketing roles like Marketing Coordinator or Graphic Designer, where they were able to flex their design muscles. Other roles like Instructional Designers or Graphics and Digital Media Specialists also heavily leaned into using their design skills in creating content or visuals. So, in cases like those, their jobs really match up with what they studied, which is pretty cool!

However, there were more than a few instances where graduates ended up in positions that had little to do with graphic design at all. Jobs in sales, management, or even roles like Line Cook clearly didn't utilize the specific skills learned in their degree program. Even in some marketing roles, while there were occasional design tasks, the main responsibilities were more about strategy and management than actual design work. So, to sum it up, while many graduates found paths that were truly relevant to their graphic design training, it’s also clear that a good number veered off into unrelated fields. It really shows how versatile a degree can be, but also highlights the challenges of sticking to a strictly creative career path!

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 Southern New Hampshire University):

What kind of career trajectories do Graphic Design graduates from Southern New Hampshire University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career paths of Southern New Hampshire University graduates with a degree in Graphic Design, it seems there’s a mix of outcomes. For many, their first jobs right after graduation often tie back to graphic design in some form. Positions like Graphic Designer or Marketing Coordinator are common, which makes sense since they can leverage what they've learned in school. As time passes, however, you can see that some graduates pivot away from traditional design roles into areas like sales or project management, which might not directly align with their initial training in graphic design.

After a few years, some graduates find themselves climbing the ranks in marketing or project management roles, which can be a bit of a departure from the design field. A few have successfully built careers that keep them in graphic design or media production, but others have taken on roles that seem a bit removed from their original focus. It suggests that while the degree provides a strong foundation, graduates might be exploring different career paths that utilize their skills in broader contexts. Overall, while many graduates are finding decent jobs, it does appear that not everyone stays in a classic graphic design trajectory. So, it’s a mixed bag – some are thriving in relevant careers, while others are finding their way into different fields entirely.

How hard is a Graphic Design degree from Southern New Hampshire University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design can be moderately challenging, but it really depends on how much you enjoy the creative process and are willing to put into it. At Southern New Hampshire University, the coursework blends design theory with practical skills, so you'll find yourself juggling projects, learning software like Adobe Creative Suite, and working on presentations. Some people might find it easier because they love art and design, while others might struggle with the workload or the technical aspects. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you’re passionate about design, it can definitely be a fun and rewarding experience!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design.

Do Graphic Design graduates from Southern New Hampshire University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Graphic Design graduates from Southern New Hampshire University, it seems like they've carved out some decent career paths, especially as they move further along in their experiences. The ones who graduated earlier, like in 2013 and 2014, have landed roles that suggest solid salaries, especially with positions like Marketing Supervisor and Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. Newer grads, like those from 2020 and 2022, are still finding their footing, but jobs like Senior Graphic Designer and Freelance Illustrator can pay well too, especially if they build their portfolios. Overall, while some might still be in entry-level rolls or in the process of leveling up, it looks like there's good potential for them to make decent money as they gain more experience in the field.

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 Southern New Hampshire University). 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