Was College Worth It for a Graphic Designer?
Here's my honest answer
College gets a lot of hate these days — especially in creative fields like design. And I get it. Tuition is insane, YouTube tutorials are free, and there’s always someone on TikTok saying they became a creative director by “just grinding.” But for me?
College changed my life.
Not in a vague, motivational-poster way. I mean literally — if I hadn’t gone to college, I wouldn’t be a designer. I wouldn’t have the job I have, the friends I have, the relationship I’m in, or the life I’m living right now.
Here’s the story.
The Moment It All Clicked
I didn’t go into college knowing I wanted to be a designer. I actually changed my major three times. It wasn’t until junior year that I found my way into visual communications — and it all started because I downloaded Adobe Illustrator on a whim.
At the time, I just wanted to make logos for fake sports teams. For fun. One day I was messing around in Illustrator when my friend Vanessa looked over and said, “Hey, that looks like my homework.”
That sentence changed everything.
Vanessa was a vis comm major. And in that moment, I realized — wait, people do this? For school? For work? I could take something I genuinely enjoyed doing and build a career out of it?
The next week, I started the process of switching my major. If it weren’t for Vanessa, I honestly don’t know what I’d be doing now. Probably something I hate.
What I Actually Got from College
Sure, I learned about design rules, visual hierarchy, typography, UX, photography, videography — all the stuff you’re supposed to learn. But honestly? The most valuable things I walked away with weren’t on the syllabus.
I learned how to be competitive in the best way — constantly surrounded by classmates who were talented, hungry, and creative as hell. We inspired each other and raised the bar together. That kind of environment is hard to replicate on your own.
I also learned that having a degree isn’t what gets you hired — the portfolio is. But guess what? Without college, my portfolio would’ve been trash. We had an entire class dedicated to building it from the ground up, and that foundation gave me a real shot at breaking into the industry.
And yeah, I wish the program had taught more hands-on how-to stuff with Adobe tools instead of just telling us what “good design” looks like. But the fundamentals stuck. I still use those principles every day.
The Part No One Talks About
Here’s what doesn’t show up in course catalogs or career outcome stats: college gave me a life.
I joined Alpha Epsilon Pi and made friendships I’ll have forever. I loved the fraternity so much I ended up working for them. And through AEPi, I met my girlfriend — we've been together four years now, we live at the beach with our two cats, and none of that happens if I didn’t go to college.
So yeah, I think a lot of gen-ed classes were pointless. I think college is overpriced. And I think not every creative needs to go.
But if you ask me whether it was worth it? 100%, without question.
It gave me clarity, confidence, purpose, people, and a profession I love.
Would I recommend it to an 18-year-old who thinks they might want to be a designer?
Absolutely.
Go Cocks!