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 | $33,346 |
| Median earnings 4 years after completion | $29,371 | $43,243 |
| Median federal loan debt (Stafford and Grad PLUS) | Suppressed for privacy | $12,063 Median of programs |
| Estimated monthly payment on median debt (10-year standard) | Data unavailable | |
| Graduates in the most recent year | 254 | 5,252 across 312 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 |
|---|---|---|
| American Public University System WV · Private, for-profit | $48,257 | $14,583 |
| University of Cincinnati-Main Campus OH · Public | $42,459 | Data unavailable |
| University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College OH · Public | $42,459 | Data unavailable |
| Nassau Community College NY · Public | $36,800 | $10,342 |
| Central New Mexico Community College NM · Public | $35,180 | Data unavailable |
| CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College NY · Public | $30,638 | Data unavailable |
| Montgomery County Community College PA · Public | $30,203 | $14,250 |
| College of Western Idaho ID · Public | $28,211 | $5,754 |
| Dutchess Community College NY · Public | $27,597 | Data unavailable |
| UCNJ Union College of Union County New Jersey NJ · Public | $27,517 | Data unavailable |
See all Communication and Media Studies programs and national outcomes
Model this program's ROI
Plug this program's published earnings and debt into the ROI calculator, then add your own tuition, aid, and current salary.
Open in the ROI calculator