Bachelor's-17% vs national median1,232 grads tracked
Communication and Media Studies at Missouri State University
Ranked 248th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$32,305
middle 50%: $24,469 – $43,047
Median · 5 years out
$48,389
middle 50%: $35,652 – $64,204
Median · 10 years out
$61,827
middle 50%: $43,983 – $86,568
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
Missouri State University communications majors see median first-year salaries of $32k. By the tenth year, earnings reach $62k.
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
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,544 total interest
Same major at other universities
Western Carolina University
$48,708 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$48,637 · 5 yrs out
University of Southern Maine
$48,604 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
$48,603 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina Beaufort
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
Nicholls State University
$48,417 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$48,313 · 5 yrs out
Southern Oregon University
$48,301 · 5 yrs out
Colorado Mesa University
$47,990 · 5 yrs out
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
$47,655 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Union University
$47,574 · 5 yrs out
McNeese State University
$47,496 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Missouri State University
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$104,078 · 5 yrs out
Military Science, Leadership and Operational Art (Master's)
$102,715 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$101,595 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$94,668 · 5 yrs out
Construction Management (Bachelor's)
$86,597 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,367 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$86,086 · 5 yrs out
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctorate)
$84,962 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$83,858 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's)
$79,076 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$77,706 · 5 yrs out
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