Entry Level Salary
$38,000
Median Salary
$76,517
Unemployment Rate
5.0%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
30.2%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,060,680
Entry (Early)
$38,000
Median (Prime)
$76,517
High (Prime)
$78,094
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
-113k
+215k
+228k
$25k / yr
-203k
+125k
+138k
$50k / yr
-293k
+35k
+48k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
28
27
$25k / yr
Never
36
35
$50k / yr
Never
51
48
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-187%
115%
127%
$50k / yr
-135%
16%
22%
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 Rate19.1%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Management occupations
4.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$44,836
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,300|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Producers and directors
4.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,195
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,534|$83,480
openings
12,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Marketing managers
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$76,534|$161,030
openings
34,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.6%
Television, video, and film camera operators and editors
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,296
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$64,894|$70,570
openings
6,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.7%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,634|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Customer service representatives
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$31,238
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$42,000|$42,830
openings
341,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.5%
Software developers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$72,888
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$120,000|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Market research analysts and marketing specialists
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$69,613|$76,950
openings
87,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.7%
First-line supervisors of retail sales workers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,867
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$53,801|$47,320
openings
125,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5%
Postsecondary teachers
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$18,651
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,526|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
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 and media studies. | Undergrad Certificate | 47 | $37,679 - $68,990 |
| communication and media studies. | Associate's Degree | 206 | $28,646 - $65,280 |
| communication and media studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 1037 | $26,285 - $114,266 |
| communication and media studies. | Post-bacc Certificate | 5 | $68,613 - $68,613 |
| communication and media studies. | Master's Degree | 271 | $46,040 - $120,003 |
| communication and media studies. | Doctoral Degree | 73 | $69,654 - $82,068 |
| communication and media studies. | Graduate Certificate | 13 | $85,278 - $110,796 |
| communication and media studies. | Level 99 | 18 | $68,442 - $72,221 |