Digital Media Schools in North Carolina

Digital media artists have such a vast skill set, that their expertise can be used in a variety of fields from animation to publishing. To be more specific, digital media artists can find work in film and television, game design, advertising, photography, public relations, graphic design, web design, education, consulting, non-profit organizations/foundations, digital art, government, and museums. In the state of North Carolina, ad agencies, newspapers, electronic media companies, non-profit organizations, museums, graphic design studios, and more are always searching for fresh talent.

What’s even better is, many of the state’s top companies recruit directly from North Carolina’s large collection of colleges and universities. Just a few of the state’s most popular options for artists, designers, and media professionals include Duke University, North Carolina State University, Elon University, Appalachian State University, and University of North Carolina. Continue reading to find out which North Carolina schools are tops for aspiring digital media artists.

North Carolina Digital Media Schools

North Carolina is home to 139 Title IV colleges and universities. A Title IV school is eligible for financial aid programs, making them more accessible to students with financial need. Many of the state’s eligible colleges offer programs for aspiring artists, designers, and media artists of all kinds. Just a few popular options include Barton College, Duke University, and Fayetteville State University. Continue reading to find out which North Carolina schools are tops for digital media majors and what they have to offer.

Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration

Winston-Salem
Wake Forest University - Degrees Offered: B. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Digital Media

More Digital Media related programs to consider:  

Employment and Salary Trends for North Carolina Digital Media Professionals

According to the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state of North Carolina is home to 37,420 artists, designers, and media professionals. This includes digital media artists, multimedia artists, graphic designers, art directors, and more. The population has increased since 2002, when it was around 30,390. Salaries have increased as well. The average salary for North Carolina artists, designers, and media professionals (as a whole) was $36,400 in 2002. As of March 27, 2012, the average salary was $47,250.

It is important to note that salaries vary by industry, education, company, experience, location, and more. For example, digital media artists in North Carolina average $43,500 overall. However, salaries are much higher in major cities such as Durham ($66,000), Charlotte and Raleigh ($58,000), Winston-Salem ($54,000), and Greensboro ($52,000).

Across the nation, industries with the highest employment levels overall are film and video; advertising, public relations and related services; colleges, universities, and professional schools; radio and television broadcasting, and local government. Top paying industries for digital media artists are independent artists ($82,870), aerospace ($67,830), film and video ($67,200), manufacturing ($62,760), and office and administrative services ($60,430).