Bachelor's-2% vs national median1,802 grads tracked
Communication and Media Studies at Portland State University
Ranked 115th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$39,032
middle 50%: $27,783 – $50,466
Median · 5 years out
$57,152
middle 50%: $41,438 – $75,368
Median · 10 years out
$70,727
middle 50%: $50,040 – $99,542
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 Portland State earn $39k in year one. Median earnings reach $57k after five years and $71k 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
7.4 yrs
≈ $8,631 total interest
Same major at other universities
Brigham Young University - Idaho
$57,438 · 5 yrs out
Illinois State University
$57,419 · 5 yrs out
University of Maine
$57,334 · 5 yrs out
Northern Arizona University
$57,301 · 5 yrs out
University of Texas at El Paso
$57,292 · 5 yrs out
St. Cloud State University
$57,247 · 5 yrs out
University of Minnesota - Crookston
$57,075 · 5 yrs out
Trine University
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
$56,848 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State University, Mankato
$56,535 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Colorado
$56,414 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Commonwealth University
$56,368 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Portland State University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$189,860 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$158,313 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$130,437 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$126,846 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$123,233 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$122,667 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Doctorate)
$120,677 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$116,662 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$115,474 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,147 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$110,977 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$105,672 · 5 yrs out
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