WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+2% vs national median1,402 grads tracked

Communication and Media Studies at University of Colorado Denver

Ranked 84th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$41,652
middle 50%: $30,065 – $54,700
Median · 5 years out
$59,311
middle 50%: $44,377 – $77,411
Median · 10 years out
$71,140
middle 50%: $51,306 – $106,664

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 University of Colorado Denver's bachelor's program in Communication and Media Studies earn a median $41,652 one year after graduating, rising to $71,140 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% above the national median of $58,421 for this field, ranking 84th 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
7.1 yrs
≈ $8,163 total interest

Same major at other universities

DePaul University
$60,097 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University
$59,848 · 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
Valparaiso University
$59,105 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$59,040 · 5 yrs out
Bridgewater State University
$58,998 · 5 yrs out
Iowa State University of Science & Technology
$58,925 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota Duluth
$58,849 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Brandywine
$58,734 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Colorado Denver

Medicine (Doctorate)
$178,970 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$155,373 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$152,313 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$148,489 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$147,946 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$127,868 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$123,737 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$122,754 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$120,903 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$115,698 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$112,107 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$110,938 · 5 yrs out

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