WhatGradsMake
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

Graduates of Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis's bachelor's program in Communication and Media Studies earn a median $38,108 one year after graduating, rising to $63,923 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 11% below the national median of $58,421 for this field, ranking 177th 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
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

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