WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-19% vs national median825 grads tracked

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at Western Carolina University

Ranked 285th of 355 bachelor's programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$32,252
middle 50%: $23,555 – $41,773
Median · 5 years out
$47,740
middle 50%: $35,843 – $60,190
Median · 10 years out
$58,582
middle 50%: $44,674 – $78,347

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (bachelor's) graduates.

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

Graduates of Western Carolina University's bachelor's program in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs earn a median $32,252 one year after graduating, rising to $58,582 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 19% below the national median of $59,040 for this field, ranking 285th of 355 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
8.9 yrs
≈ $10,702 total interest

Same major at other universities

Nicholls State University
$48,417 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina -Greensboro
$48,313 · 5 yrs out
Marshall University
$48,272 · 5 yrs out
Colorado Mesa University
$47,990 · 5 yrs out
Southern Oregon University
$47,856 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$47,828 · 5 yrs out
University of Southern Indiana
$47,585 · 5 yrs out
McNeese State University
$47,496 · 5 yrs out
Emory & Henry College
$47,422 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Northwest
$47,392 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
$47,348 · 5 yrs out
Rogers State University
$47,315 · 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

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