WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+1% vs national median1,227 grads tracked

Communication and Media Studies at Iowa State University of Science & Technology

Ranked 88th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$41,421
middle 50%: $31,477 – $51,753
Median · 5 years out
$58,925
middle 50%: $45,886 – $75,225
Median · 10 years out
$73,026
middle 50%: $54,745 – $103,489

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 Iowa State University of Science & Technology's bachelor's program in Communication and Media Studies earn a median $41,421 one year after graduating, rising to $73,026 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 1% above the national median of $58,421 for this field, ranking 88th 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
≈ $8,211 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$59,040 · 5 yrs out
Bridgewater State University
$58,998 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota Duluth
$58,849 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Brandywine
$58,734 · 5 yrs out
Bethel University
$58,568 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - York
$58,547 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at San Antonio
$58,437 · 5 yrs out
Northern Illinois University
$58,421 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Iowa State University of Science & Technology

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$147,324 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$146,317 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$136,278 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$118,825 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$116,045 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$115,806 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Doctorate)
$113,881 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$110,315 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$107,785 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,597 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$104,160 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$104,015 · 5 yrs out

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