Doctoral (Research)0% vs national median188 grads tracked
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at Pennsylvania State University (The)
Ranked 16th of 28 doctoral (research) programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$74,586
middle 50%: $59,577 – $89,801
Median · 5 years out
$85,412
middle 50%: $70,012 – $100,169
Median · 10 years out
$103,464
middle 50%: $80,221 – $121,873
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
Research doctorate holders in Communication and Journalism earn $75k in their first year. Median earnings reach $103k by the tenth year.
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
4.4 yrs
≈ $4,661 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of Oregon
$89,305 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
$89,221 · 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
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
$85,178 · 5 yrs out
Regent University
$83,805 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - Bloomington
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Madison
$82,379 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$80,778 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Pennsylvania State University (The)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$182,178 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$177,057 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$143,044 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$135,252 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$130,869 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$122,394 · 5 yrs out
Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's)
$116,440 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$115,495 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's)
$115,004 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$114,831 · 5 yrs out
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,734 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's)
$114,727 · 5 yrs out
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