Entry Level Salary
$42,476
Median Salary
$82,592
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
25.1%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,303,680
Entry (Early)
$42,476
Median (Prime)
$82,592
High (Prime)
$84,413
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-72k
+264k
+279k
$25k / yr
-162k
+174k
+189k
$50k / yr
-252k
+84k
+99k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
27
26
$25k / yr
Never
33
32
$50k / yr
Never
43
41
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-149%
160%
174%
$50k / yr
-116%
39%
46%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate25.2%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Management occupations
4.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$51,915
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
News analysts, reporters, and journalists
4.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,432
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$65,757|$60,280
openings
4,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -3.9%
Marketing managers
3.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$59,779
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$93,713|$161,030
openings
34,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.6%
Writers and authors
3.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,681|$72,270
openings
13,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.6%
Editors
3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,834
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,681|$75,260
openings
9,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Lawyers, judges, and related workers
2.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$122,868
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$141,586|$144,040
openings
34,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$43,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,269|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$46,856
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$71,735|$76,950
openings
87,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.7%
Producers and directors
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$46,146
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$68,148|$83,480
openings
12,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Public relations specialists
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,461
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,000|$69,780
openings
27,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.8%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| communication, journalism, and related programs, other. | Undergrad Certificate | 4 | $57,693 - $59,989 |
| communication, journalism, and related programs, other. | Associate's Degree | 10 | $39,729 - $39,729 |
| communication, journalism, and related programs, other. | Bachelor's Degree | 67 | $40,991 - $74,597 |
| communication, journalism, and related programs, other. | Master's Degree | 19 | $61,788 - $126,571 |
| journalism. | Undergrad Certificate | 20 | $63,138 - $63,138 |
| journalism. | Associate's Degree | 70 | $45,638 - $51,356 |
| journalism. | Bachelor's Degree | 352 | $29,511 - $81,935 |
| journalism. | Master's Degree | 65 | $48,294 - $90,356 |
| journalism. | Doctoral Degree | 6 | Data N/A |
| journalism. | Graduate Certificate | 3 | $63,479 - $63,479 |
| journalism. | Level 99 | 4 | $58,146 - $58,146 |