WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+2% vs national median171 grads tracked

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at Purdue University

Ranked 12th of 28 doctoral (research) programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$76,644
middle 50%: $65,050 – $89,985
Median · 5 years out
$87,304
middle 50%: $72,057 – $99,943
Median · 10 years out
$91,987
middle 50%: $73,442 – $117,305

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 Purdue University's doctoral (research) program in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs earn a median $76,644 one year after graduating, rising to $91,987 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% above the national median of $85,412 for this field, ranking 12th 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
4.3 yrs
≈ $4,527 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Georgia
$91,143 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$90,704 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$89,687 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$89,305 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$89,221 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
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

Other majors at Purdue University

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$219,424 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$162,085 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$160,199 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,081 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$152,803 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$151,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$148,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$141,828 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$135,976 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$126,565 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$122,270 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Doctorate)
$122,253 · 5 yrs out

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