I'm a Visual Communication Design (graphic design, in a way) student in the arts program here at Grace, and I'll say a few things to that end.
1. Those who are motivated to search for knowledge and foster a learning environment outside of the classes will succeed the most. By this I mean that, unless you're in the fine arts, you won't be taught proficiency with industry standard programs. You will, however, be expected to proficient enough to create solid designs and defend them, and so while some programs teach proficiency and neglect design theory, the current professors here at least instruct students to complete assignments which build design sense.
2. The location isn't great for art students. By this I mean that, as in the words of a local artist, "Warsaw isn't exactly a creative Mecca." He makes his living by doing work for clients outside of Warsaw and travelling the world. For a hyper-realist like himself, the work is sparse around here. On top of this, the visual community of Warsaw is a little sparse. However, for those who are design-oriented, there is a bit more work to be had. Besides the gigantic orthopedic industry in Warsaw, motivated students will be able to find work in design close to school, but for the fine artists out there business will be hard to come by. Nothing is handed to the visual (art, design, etc.) students here... Except the textbooks, perhaps-- those are free if you return them at the end of the session!
3. Despite the gloomy review above, on Grace's campus there are many avenues to fund opportunities through. For example, a design friend of mine recently was able to do work for a local Special Needs studio by doing graphic design work for one of the artists there. (Redbird, if you feel the need to look it up) That's legitimate work! Moreover, I personally have had the opportunity to work as layout designer for the campus literary magazine, Inkspot. It wasn't paid, but I can tell you that the experience was insanely valuable. I will admit that such opportunities should be left alone until a sufficient enough knowledge of how to do graphic work is attained, but the opportunities are there, nonetheless. I wasn't paid for that particular work, and I cannot speak for the experience of my compatriot in the VCD department, but for those who have even an average understanding of layout or the adobe suite there are other opportunities like Roots Magazine, which is a paid position in which students are tasked with creating a sort of semi-annual yearbook. Other paid positions include layout editing for the campus newspaper, graphic design work for the events around campus, and graphic designers for the marketing department at Grace. As for art, the strong may flourish here, selling work if they've got the wherewithal, but the weak will crumple. One cannot float by in this program. However, hard work is recognized, and directly rewarded, so it's not all bad!
4. The three year program. In 2013 Grace decided to switch from a traditional semester-based college to one which offers two sessions a semester. I prefer calling them quarters for the sake of recognition but that's the term. The summer is also designated as a tuition free period, which means that students may take select classes, usually from the "CORE" classes. (Grace's liberal arts classes) This means that a student is able to graduate in *three years*. Generally, for departments like business this is a great decision! Get in, get a degree and get out before you end up paying for your fourth year! No strings attached! However, for certain programs this is to the detriment of the students. I won't say that Visual Communication Design is necessarily one of them, but students in Illustration and Art definitely hurt because of this. The structure of the classes might allow a 4-year to exit college with sufficient proficiency, but a three-year will be reeling still.
Overall, Grace's visual programs have problems, but they also have some of the best programs for midwestern Christian colleges that I, and my contemporaries, have seen.