What should I major in: Digital Arts, Communication Arts, or Graphic Design?

BFA in Graphic Design (IOWA STATE) or BFA in Arts studying Graphic Design?

• PLEASE tell me they're the same, and won't ruin my chances to a firm or a job. I keep reading everywhere that this is a competitive field, and need to know what is the righter choice but also don't ruin my feeling during college. First question: I like to learn but also keep my mind in a diverse setting. Iowa State seems to have BFA in Graphic Design, but its social area is known to be rural, with little diversity but is in there (like any city). Getting a Degree here, however sounds legit. BFA in Arts studying Graphic Design is in Iowa University. It has been known for diversity, but the degree's name sounds iffy to me. Some jobs say in simplyhired "graphic design B.A. or similar" but some plain out say "graphic design bachelors". I like to live here, it's affordable for instate student, but man... I don't know, don't want to be denied or delayed for work. Second Question: I like California College of Arts very much, but it is expensive... $30k. It is very recommended, is mostly in san fran in graphic design but... the price. It has a list of scholarships, but don't know if it is going to pay all of THAT... will be mad if it only gives me 8k, when 8k can fill up instate of University of Iowa... I'm in a jam right now and can't sleep without a final decision... My mom is low income, if that helps.

• Answer:

  Dear Ko Yo, An art job is not like a straightforward heavily academic field like law, or medicine. Your portfolio and your experience is going to get you a job, not your degree, much less a little piece of paper that says you at least didn't sleep through all your classes. Don't rush into potentially years of debt until you've done your research and know exactly what you want to get out of your schooling experience and then find out who will offer that. Schools have no obligation to sit there and provide a career for you, they are a business and will be perfectly happy to just take your tuition. Nobody has ever asked to see my BFA certificate.