Bachelor's-17% vs national median733 grads tracked
Communication and Media Studies at Western Carolina University
Ranked 242nd of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$33,191
middle 50%: $24,292 – $42,862
Median · 5 years out
$48,708
middle 50%: $37,166 – $60,951
Median · 10 years out
$59,265
middle 50%: $45,192 – $78,977
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 majors earn a median of $33k in their first year. Salaries reach $49k at the five-year mark and $59k at 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
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,416 total interest
Same major at other universities
Colorado State University-Pueblo
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - East
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
Columbia College
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
University of Illinois at Springfield
$48,823 · 5 yrs out
Macalester College
$48,791 · 5 yrs out
Eureka College
$48,715 · 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
Missouri State University
$48,389 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Western Carolina University
Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out
Related fields of study
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Compare universities
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
Compare universities
Journalism
Compare universities
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Compare universities
Publishing
Compare universities
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
Compare universities