WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+2% vs national median1,692 grads tracked

Communication and Media Studies at Colorado State University

Ranked 79th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$37,875
middle 50%: $27,752 – $49,725
Median · 5 years out
$59,848
middle 50%: $45,519 – $79,010
Median · 10 years out
$78,053
middle 50%: $57,933 – $112,512

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Communication and Media Studies (bachelor's) graduates.

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

Graduates of Colorado State University's bachelor's program in Communication and Media Studies earn a median $37,875 one year after graduating, rising to $78,053 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% above the national median of $58,421 for this field, ranking 79th of 307 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
7.2 yrs
≈ $8,501 total interest

Same major at other universities

Augsburg University
$60,304 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$60,304 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas of the Permian Basin
$60,234 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina State University
$60,211 · 5 yrs out
University of Houston - Clear Lake
$60,210 · 5 yrs out
DePaul University
$60,097 · 5 yrs out
College of Staten Island/CUNY
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Hamline University
$59,560 · 5 yrs out
Worcester State University
$59,464 · 5 yrs out
Texas State University
$59,405 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Denver
$59,311 · 5 yrs out
Valparaiso University
$59,105 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Colorado State University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$212,009 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$135,185 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$131,863 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$127,509 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$125,457 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Bachelor's)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Bachelor's)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,842 · 5 yrs out
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's)
$108,642 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$107,710 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$106,687 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$106,500 · 5 yrs out

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