WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-20% vs national median57 grads tracked

Communication and Media Studies at Southwest Minnesota State University

Ranked 259th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$31,371
middle 50%: $24,465 – $41,995
Median · 5 years out
$46,994
middle 50%: $36,628 – $61,580
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

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 Southwest Minnesota State University's bachelor's program in Communication and Media Studies earn a median $31,371 one year after graduating, rising to $46,994 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 20% below the national median of $58,421 for this field, ranking 259th 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
9.7 yrs
≈ $11,250 total interest

Same major at other universities

Virginia Union University
$47,574 · 5 yrs out
McNeese State University
$47,496 · 5 yrs out
Emory & Henry College
$47,422 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
$47,403 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Northwest
$47,392 · 5 yrs out
Winthrop University
$47,039 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
$46,994 · 5 yrs out
Charleston Southern University
$46,845 · 5 yrs out
Virginia State University
$46,818 · 5 yrs out
Regent University
$46,810 · 5 yrs out
Northwestern State University
$46,803 · 5 yrs out
Bethany Lutheran College
$46,777 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Southwest Minnesota State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$91,663 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Bachelor's)
$86,868 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$83,267 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$83,267 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$83,179 · 5 yrs out
Education (Master's)
$73,504 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural Business and Management (Bachelor's)
$67,426 · 5 yrs out
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's)
$67,394 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Bachelor's)
$65,410 · 5 yrs out
Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services (Bachelor's)
$62,224 · 5 yrs out
Culinary Arts and Related Services (Bachelor's)
$62,224 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's)
$62,132 · 5 yrs out

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