WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)-2% vs national median179 grads tracked

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at Indiana University - Bloomington

Ranked 19th of 28 doctoral (research) programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$71,871
middle 50%: $53,909 – $85,885
Median · 5 years out
$83,557
middle 50%: $71,576 – $97,271
Median · 10 years out
$102,529
middle 50%: $85,062 – $128,840

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 Indiana University - Bloomington's doctoral (research) program in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs earn a median $71,871 one year after graduating, rising to $102,529 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% below the national median of $85,412 for this field, ranking 19th 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
≈ $4,836 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
University of Utah
$82,614 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$82,379 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$80,778 · 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

Other majors at Indiana University - Bloomington

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$185,244 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$162,623 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$154,557 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$150,773 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Master's)
$132,457 · 5 yrs out
Optometry (Doctorate)
$120,596 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$119,345 · 5 yrs out
Natural Resources and Conservation (Doctorate)
$115,056 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$110,151 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Doctorate)
$109,526 · 5 yrs out
Library Science (Doctorate)
$109,070 · 5 yrs out

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