What can you do with a Graphic Design degree from State University of New York College at Oswego?

First, some facts. Of the Graphic Design graduates from State University of New York College at Oswego 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Graphic Design graduates from State University of New York College at Oswego have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 69%
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 20% 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 State University of New York College at Oswego and our analysis:


Relevance score: 77%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from State University of New York College at Oswego with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Graphic Design. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Front End Lead
Spec's Wines, Spirits & Liquors
Sep 2022 - Oct 2023
The position of Front End Lead at Spec's Wines, Spirits & Liquors may involve some design elements and user interface considerations, but it is primarily focused on management and operations rather than core graphic design skills.

OMNI Associate
Kohl's
Oct 2023 - Jan 2024
The role of OMNI Associate at Kohl's does not utilize graphic design knowledge or skills significantly, focusing instead on retail operations and customer service.

Freelance Graphic Designer
Freelance
Jul 2022 - Present
As a Freelance Graphic Designer, the job directly uses the skills and knowledge acquired from a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, making it highly relevant.

Freelance Graphic Designer
Fiverr
Jul 2022 - Present
Working as a Freelance Graphic Designer on Fiverr also utilizes core graphic design skills on a regular basis, directly relating to the individuals degree.

Store Associate
Sherwin-Williams
Jan 2024 - Present
The Store Associate role at Sherwin-Williams does not require graphic design skills or knowledge, as it primarily involves customer assistance and sales.

ABOUT

I am a graduate of SUNY Oswego with a BA degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Audio Design & Production, I've been working on graphic design projects for over 6 years now. My first experience in graphic design was my high school's yearbook club where I fell in love with graphic design as a whole and knew that's what I wanted to do with my life.

What jobs can you get with a Graphic Design degree from State University of New York College at Oswego?

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


After checking out the job paths of graduates from the Graphic Design program at State University of New York College at Oswego, it looks like there's a mix when it comes to how relevant their jobs are to the field. A decent number of graduates ended up in roles directly related to graphic design like Freelance Graphic Designer, Graphic Designer positions across various industries, and even Visual Designer roles. These jobs clearly tap into the skills they developed during college, allowing them to put their design knowledge to good use.

However, there’s also a noticeable chunk of graduates who found themselves in jobs that don't heavily rely on graphic design skills. Positions like Administrative Assistant, Office Manager, or Customer Relations roles mostly focus on administrative tasks or marketing strategy, which aren't closely tied to the core of graphic design. This suggests that while a degree in Graphic Design opens many doors, some paths taken might not fully utilize all the creative skills learned. Overall, it seems like many graduates are applying their education in meaningful ways, but a fair number are also diverting into unrelated fields, which might be something to think about for future students considering this 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 State University of New York College at Oswego):

What kind of career trajectories do Graphic Design graduates from State University of New York College at Oswego have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the Graphic Design program at State University of New York College at Oswego, a few patterns emerge. Fresh graduates often kick off their careers in entry-level positions like graphic design internships or assistant roles. For example, those graduating between 2012 and 2019 commonly started as interns or in junior design positions before gradually stepping up into more defined roles, like Graphic Designer or Marketing Coordinator. It seems that while some individuals have found their footing in design-related jobs quickly, others have drifted toward roles that don’t align closely with graphic design, such as administrative or customer service positions.

Fast forward five to ten years post-graduation, and we see a mixed bag. Some graduates have settled nicely into roles as graphic designers, marketing managers, or freelance designers, reflecting a solid connection to their degree. Others, however, seem to have taken a different route, with some ending up in unrelated fields, like teaching or non-design roles, suggesting a struggle to find sustained design work. Overall, it appears that while many Oswego alumni find success in design, others may face challenges that lead them to careers outside of their major, highlighting the varied paths of a graphic design degree in the job market!

How hard is a Graphic Design degree from State University of New York College at Oswego?

Getting a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, whether at SUNY Oswego or somewhere else, can be a pretty challenging experience, but it's also super rewarding if you're passionate about it. You'll be diving into a mix of creative projects, technical skills, and design theory, which means you'll need to juggle your time well and put in some serious effort to keep up with assignments, critiques, and improving your skills. Some folks find it easier because they love being creative and already have a knack for design, while others might struggle a bit more with the workload and deadlines. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you’re dedicated and interested, it can be an awesome journey!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Graphic Design.

Do Graphic Design graduates from State University of New York College at Oswego tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these Graphic Design grads from SUNY Oswego, it seems like there’s a mixed bag in terms of earnings. Some of them have climbed the ladder into decent marketing and design roles, which typically pay better, especially when they move into management positions, like our 2013 grad who went from a Marketing Coordinator to a Manager. However, others have bounced around a lot between lower-paying jobs and freelancing gigs—like the one from 2015 who now works in customer service while juggling design freelance work. Overall, it’s a bit of a gamble; if you get into the right companies or roles, you can make a solid living, but it looks like there are also plenty who might be struggling to pay the bills with their graphic design degrees.

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 State University of New York College at Oswego). 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