WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-5% vs national median136 grads tracked

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at University of Colorado Boulder

Ranked 22nd of 28 doctoral (research) programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$72,585
middle 50%: $50,227 – $87,491
Median · 5 years out
$80,778
middle 50%: $64,798 – $99,007
Median · 10 years out
$87,772
middle 50%: $62,075 – $109,494

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 Colorado Boulder's doctoral (research) program in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs earn a median $72,585 one year after graduating, rising to $87,772 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% below the national median of $85,412 for this field, ranking 22nd 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
4.6 yrs
≈ $4,852 total interest

Same major at other universities

Pennsylvania State University (The)
$85,412 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$85,178 · 5 yrs out
Regent University
$83,805 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
University of Utah
$82,614 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$82,379 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$80,729 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$77,674 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$76,770 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$76,305 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$74,015 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Colorado Boulder

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$179,121 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$162,413 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$136,557 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$134,060 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$121,503 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$121,397 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$118,475 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$115,546 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$112,642 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$111,405 · 5 yrs out
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering (Bachelor's)
$111,066 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$104,453 · 5 yrs out

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