Can I get a good graphic design education at a university?

[Alyssa P]

Do you need to? Of course not! There are plenty of self taught artists out there who are making an impressive living.
However, would I recommend classes? Of course. The majority of people out there need instruction, and it couldn't hurt. I don't know the prices of schools in the States, but here in Canada it's incredibly easy to attend an affordable school and still get a top-notch education.
I recommend looking up arts schools in your area, and branching out from there.

 

[Nyx]

do bosses care where you got your degree, or do they just care that you have a 4 year degree from somewhere and have a great portfolio?

please help!!!
Art college is expensive, so I was thinking of going to a community college first and then transferring to an affordable midwest university that has the graphic design program.

After I get my degree, I'm moving the hell out of the midwest. But I'm wondering if I can get a decent education there? Do I really need to go to a fancy 30-40k/year art college to get a good education?

 

[Bryan R]

You can go to a state college and major in a graphic design program. You don't have to go to a well known art university.
But if you have talent and plan on working in a big city then it wouldn't hurt you to be able to drop a big name school like Chicago School of Art or something like that. If you plan on working in a smaller city then it's not as important but the job will always come down to your skill and quality of work over the next persons. A good design school can pay instructors more and therefor retain more well known artists and teachers where a state schools professors my just be qualified teachers.
There is always a lot to consider. Choosing a career in art is very difficult but people will always need graphic designers and web designers. It wouldn't hurt to take some web classes too.