WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+3% vs national median146 grads tracked

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at University of Alabama

Ranked 11th of 28 doctoral (research) programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$73,190
middle 50%: $60,243 – $86,672
Median · 5 years out
$87,772
middle 50%: $73,728 – $106,080
Median · 10 years out
$87,772
middle 50%: $74,301 – $116,743

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (doctoral (research)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of University of Alabama's doctoral (research) program in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs earn a median $73,190 one year after graduating, rising to $87,772 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 3% above the national median of $85,412 for this field, ranking 11th of 28 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
4.4 yrs
≈ $4,691 total interest

Same major at other universities

Texas Tech University
$92,787 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$91,143 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$90,704 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$89,687 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$89,305 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$89,221 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$87,304 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$87,276 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$86,981 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$86,507 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$85,412 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$85,178 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Alabama

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$153,932 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$141,017 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$141,017 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$122,177 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Master's)
$120,518 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$114,494 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$110,564 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$108,063 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$108,063 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$107,250 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$104,753 · 5 yrs out
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$104,648 · 5 yrs out

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