Bachelor's-16% vs national median163 grads tracked
Communication and Media Studies at Columbia College
Ranked 238th of 307 bachelor's programs in Communication and Media Studies by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$38,829
middle 50%: $29,868 – $48,230
Median · 5 years out
$48,829
middle 50%: $37,268 – $66,961
Median · 10 years out
$55,261
middle 50%: $40,342 – $69,154
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 see a median first-year salary of $39k. This grows to $49k by year five and $55k by year ten.
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
8.5 yrs
≈ $9,655 total interest
Same major at other universities
Bemidji State University
$49,171 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University - North Central
$49,073 · 5 yrs out
University of Central Oklahoma
$49,004 · 5 yrs out
Wright State University
$48,898 · 5 yrs out
Colorado State University-Pueblo
$48,829 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - East
$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
Western Carolina University
$48,708 · 5 yrs out
University of Toledo
$48,637 · 5 yrs out
University of Southern Maine
$48,604 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Columbia College
Homeland Security (Bachelor's)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Master's)
$70,298 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Bachelor's)
$67,317 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's)
$65,609 · 5 yrs out
Education (Master's)
$64,129 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other (Bachelor's)
$63,170 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$58,858 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's)
$55,665 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Bachelor's)
$54,615 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's)
$53,873 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (Bachelor's)
$53,647 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Bachelor's)
$52,969 · 5 yrs out
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