WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-3% vs national median1,465 grads tracked

Communication and Media Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato

Ranked 119th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$38,316
middle 50%: $28,813 – $48,960
Median · 5 years out
$56,535
middle 50%: $43,570 – $71,976
Median · 10 years out
$71,344
middle 50%: $52,251 – $99,258

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 Minnesota State University, Mankato's bachelor's program in Communication and Media Studies earn a median $38,316 one year after graduating, rising to $71,344 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 3% below the national median of $58,421 for this field, ranking 119th 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
7.5 yrs
≈ $8,764 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Texas at El Paso
$57,292 · 5 yrs out
St. Cloud State University
$57,247 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$57,152 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Crookston
$57,075 · 5 yrs out
Trine University
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
$56,848 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Colorado
$56,414 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$56,368 · 5 yrs out
CUNY Lehman College
$56,346 · 5 yrs out
Concordia College - Moorhead
$56,322 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$56,319 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Charlotte
$56,263 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Minnesota State University, Mankato

Engineering (Master's)
$111,945 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$110,650 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$105,162 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$101,341 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$99,769 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$97,115 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,990 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$95,590 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$94,989 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$94,389 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$94,288 · 5 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$92,158 · 5 yrs out

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