WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's+33% vs national median2,725 grads tracked

Communication and Media Studies at University of Michigan

Ranked 4th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$48,646
middle 50%: $35,925 – $62,292
Median · 5 years out
$77,750
middle 50%: $57,574 – $103,145
Median · 10 years out
$105,886
middle 50%: $69,604 – $159,705

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 University of Michigan's bachelor's program in Communication and Media Studies earn a median $48,646 one year after graduating, rising to $105,886 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 33% above the national median of $58,421 for this field, ranking 4th 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
5.6 yrs
≈ $6,485 total interest

Same major at other universities

CUNY Graduate School & University Center
$80,595 · 5 yrs out
Fairfield University
$79,787 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$78,128 · 5 yrs out
University of Connecticut
$74,785 · 5 yrs out
Bryant University
$73,245 · 5 yrs out
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
$71,101 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$70,075 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$70,072 · 5 yrs out
Utah Valley University
$69,615 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of Michigan

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$240,526 · 5 yrs out
Legal Professions and Studies (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Law (Doctorate)
$205,113 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$193,286 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$162,338 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,020 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$148,552 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$144,865 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$139,695 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Doctorate)
$137,588 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$137,498 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$137,470 · 5 yrs out

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