Bachelor's-21% vs national median242 grads tracked
Communication and Media Studies at Western Colorado University
Ranked 271st of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$31,637
middle 50%: $23,436 – $43,247
Median · 5 years out
$46,183
middle 50%: $34,299 – $60,961
Median · 10 years out
$55,993
middle 50%: $37,744 – $80,258
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
Media studies graduates from Western Colorado University earn $31,637 in their first year. Median earnings reach $55,993 by year 10.
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
9.3 yrs
≈ $11,084 total interest
Same major at other universities
Bethany Lutheran College
$46,777 · 5 yrs out
Missouri Southern State University
$46,663 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Louisiana University
$46,612 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Hilo
$46,593 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - South Bend
$46,337 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Aiken
$46,233 · 5 yrs out
Coker University
$46,093 · 5 yrs out
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
$46,055 · 5 yrs out
Young Harris College
$45,979 · 5 yrs out
University of New Orleans (The)
$45,940 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Buffalo State University
$45,940 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina Upstate
$45,823 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Colorado University
Chemistry (Bachelor's)
$73,271 · 5 yrs out
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's)
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Bachelor's)
$72,585 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's)
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's)
$62,595 · 5 yrs out
Economics (Bachelor's)
$61,737 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Bachelor's)
$60,618 · 5 yrs out
Education (Master's)
$58,808 · 5 yrs out
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's)
$56,833 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Bachelor's)
$53,520 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics (Bachelor's)
$53,520 · 5 yrs out
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's)
$53,485 · 5 yrs out
Related fields of study
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Compare universities
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
Compare universities
Journalism
Compare universities
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Compare universities
Publishing
Compare universities
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
Compare universities