WhatGradsMake
Doctoral (Research)+4% vs national median206 grads tracked

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Ranked 10th of 28 doctoral (research) programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$82,397
middle 50%: $71,315 – $96,544
Median · 5 years out
$89,221
middle 50%: $75,281 – $104,197
Median · 10 years out
$106,985
middle 50%: $89,113 – $125,175

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (doctoral (research)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill's doctoral (research) program in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs earn a median $82,397 one year after graduating, rising to $106,985 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 4% above the national median of $85,412 for this field, ranking 10th of 28 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
4.1 yrs
≈ $4,232 total interest

Same major at other universities

Arizona State University
$95,830 · 5 yrs out
Texas Tech University
$92,787 · 5 yrs out
University of Georgia
$91,143 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at Austin
$90,704 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
$89,687 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$89,305 · 5 yrs out
University of Alabama
$87,772 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$87,304 · 5 yrs out
Ohio State University (The)
$87,276 · 5 yrs out
University of Missouri - Columbia
$86,981 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$86,507 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$85,412 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$214,723 · 5 yrs out
Dentistry (Doctorate)
$192,150 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$178,780 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$167,515 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$151,181 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$150,648 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$147,757 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$140,602 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$127,840 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$125,175 · 5 yrs out
Journalism (Bachelor's)
$124,373 · 5 yrs out
Library Science (Doctorate)
$121,393 · 5 yrs out

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