WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-16% vs national median83 grads tracked

Communication and Media Studies at Purdue University - North Central

Ranked 233rd of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$29,886
middle 50%: $22,645 – $37,333
Median · 5 years out
$49,073
middle 50%: $35,215 – $62,412
Median · 10 years out
$72,585
middle 50%: $43,047 – $104,398

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 Purdue University - North Central's bachelor's program in Communication and Media Studies earn a median $29,886 one year after graduating, rising to $72,585 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 16% below the national median of $58,421 for this field, ranking 233rd 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
8.5 yrs
≈ $10,630 total interest

Same major at other universities

Purdue University Fort Wayne
$49,417 · 5 yrs out
Anderson University
$49,399 · 5 yrs out
Voorhees University
$49,399 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Superior
$49,326 · 5 yrs out
West Texas A&M University
$49,308 · 5 yrs out
Bemidji State University
$49,171 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Oklahoma
$49,004 · 5 yrs out
Wright State University
$48,898 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University-Pueblo
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - East
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
Columbia College
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois at Springfield
$48,823 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Purdue University - North Central

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$109,882 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$93,717 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$93,251 · 5 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$92,269 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$91,067 · 5 yrs out
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (Bachelor's)
$90,582 · 5 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$88,193 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$83,805 · 5 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$82,048 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$81,860 · 5 yrs out
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$81,295 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$72,024 · 5 yrs out

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