Doctoral (Research)-5% vs national median195 grads tracked
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at University of Iowa
Ranked 23rd of 28 doctoral (research) programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$70,606
middle 50%: $59,795 – $84,419
Median · 5 years out
$80,729
middle 50%: $66,427 – $94,160
Median · 10 years out
$96,190
middle 50%: $79,381 – $110,663
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
Research doctorate holders in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs earn a median of $70.6k in their first year. Salaries rise to $96k after ten years.
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
4.7 yrs
≈ $4,963 total interest
Same major at other universities
Ohio State University (The)
$87,276 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$86,981 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$86,507 · 5 yrs out
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 Wisconsin - Madison
$82,379 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$80,778 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$77,674 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$76,770 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University & Agricultural & Mechanical College
$74,015 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Iowa
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$197,724 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$173,339 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$167,710 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$157,015 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,198 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$144,877 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$121,670 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$114,999 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$112,327 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$107,625 · 5 yrs out
Related fields of study
Communication and Media Studies
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