This program compared with the national picture
| Measure | This program | National median, same field and credential |
|---|---|---|
| Median earnings 1 year after completion | Suppressed for privacy | $42,882 |
| Median earnings 4 years after completion | Suppressed for privacy | $56,359 |
| Median federal loan debt (Stafford and Grad PLUS) | $33,125 | $22,718 Median of programs |
| Estimated monthly payment on median debt (10-year standard) | $376 | |
| Graduates in the most recent year | 16 | 43,556 across 1,184 programs |
Earnings cohorts: Treasury AY2020-21, AY2021-22 pooled earnings cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars. Debt cohort: NSLDS pooled AY2022-23, AY2023-24 cohort. Debt covers federal loans only and excludes private loans and Parent PLUS loans. Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, before taxes.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most Recent Field of Study Data. Varies by measure; see measure definitions. Published October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Careers this field prepares students for
From the official CIP to SOC crosswalk. Graduates do not all enter these occupations, and occupation wages describe all workers, not new graduates. Official crosswalk
| Occupation | Median wage, all workers | Change 2025 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|
| Public relations managers | $146,910 | +5.7% |
| Fundraising managers | $125,470 | +5.4% |
| Fundraisers | $72,550 | +5.5% |
| Communications teachers, postsecondary | $78,580 | +2.1% |
| Broadcast announcers and radio disc jockeys | $47,340 | -7.6% |
| News analysts, reporters, and journalists | $62,200 | -5.9% |
| Public relations specialists | $74,750 | +1.8% |
| Editors | $77,920 | -1.1% |
| Writers and authors | $76,910 | -0.3% |
| Media and communication workers, all other | $73,620 | +3.9% |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk. CIP 2020 and SOC 2018 taxonomies. Published April 30, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Comparable programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center NY · Public | $65,607 | $17,687 |
| University of Pennsylvania PA · Private, nonprofit | $65,287 | Data unavailable |
| Northwestern University IL · Private, nonprofit | $64,034 | $20,500 |
| Cornell University NY · Private, nonprofit | $63,499 | $9,125 |
| Santa Clara University CA · Private, nonprofit | $62,295 | $19,500 |
| The University of Arizona Global Campus AZ · Private, for-profit | $61,299 | $20,685 |
| Wake Forest University NC · Private, nonprofit | $59,986 | $18,862 |
| The Catholic University of America DC · Private, nonprofit | $59,810 | $26,000 |
| Colorado State University Global CO · Public | $59,368 | Data unavailable |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo CA · Public | $59,292 | $15,768 |
See all Communication and Media Studies programs and national outcomes
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