Bachelor's-11% vs national median1,005 grads tracked
Communication and Media Studies at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Ranked 177th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$38,108
middle 50%: $28,603 – $50,245
Median · 5 years out
$52,190
middle 50%: $38,542 – $69,368
Median · 10 years out
$63,923
middle 50%: $44,700 – $90,090
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
Communication and Media Studies graduates earn a median salary of $38k in their first year. By year 10, earnings rise to $64k.
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
8 yrs
≈ $9,267 total interest
Same major at other universities
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
$52,731 · 5 yrs out
Coastal Carolina University
$52,698 · 5 yrs out
University of North Georgia
$52,460 · 5 yrs out
Bridgewater College
$52,445 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama in Huntsville
$52,283 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York College at Potsdam
$52,212 · 5 yrs out
Liberty University
$52,059 · 5 yrs out
Tarleton State University
$52,037 · 5 yrs out
Missouri Western State University
$51,828 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Beaver
$51,789 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Brockport
$51,783 · 5 yrs out
University of South Dakota
$51,769 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$175,270 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$174,318 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$158,258 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$137,643 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,300 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$122,022 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$119,554 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$113,650 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$112,807 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$110,531 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$105,239 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,541 · 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