Bachelor's-13% vs national median681 grads tracked
Communication and Media Studies at Appalachian State University
Ranked 197th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$35,792
middle 50%: $25,763 – $48,413
Median · 5 years out
$50,871
middle 50%: $37,953 – $70,777
Median · 10 years out
$62,093
middle 50%: $48,975 – $93,031
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
Communication and Media Studies graduates from Appalachian State University start at $36k. Earnings reach $51k after five years and $62k after ten years.
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
8.3 yrs
≈ $9,738 total interest
Same major at other universities
Stephen F Austin State University
$51,365 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern Illinois University
$51,258 · 5 yrs out
Western Oregon University
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$51,071 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Missouri State University
$51,062 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Wesleyan University
$50,985 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
$50,767 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$50,757 · 5 yrs out
SUNY at Fredonia
$50,600 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University-San Antonio
$50,591 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University Moorhead
$50,577 · 5 yrs out
Benedictine University
$50,471 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Appalachian State University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$107,901 · 5 yrs out
Education (Doctorate)
$100,794 · 5 yrs out
Physical Sciences (Master's)
$91,987 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$91,478 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$91,478 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$89,245 · 5 yrs out
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's)
$81,200 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$80,298 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's)
$79,669 · 5 yrs out
Insurance (Bachelor's)
$76,492 · 5 yrs out
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's)
$74,662 · 5 yrs out
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's)
$74,629 · 5 yrs out
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