Bachelor's-23% vs national median212 grads tracked
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at Columbia College
Ranked 318th of 355 bachelor's programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$37,774
middle 50%: $28,422 – $45,365
Median · 5 years out
$45,576
middle 50%: $34,677 – $61,397
Median · 10 years out
$53,107
middle 50%: $41,063 – $69,154
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
Columbia College communication graduates earn a median of $38k in year 1. By year 10, the median salary is $53k.
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
9 yrs
≈ $10,279 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of New Orleans (The)
$45,940 · 5 yrs out
Indiana University - South Bend
$45,860 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina Upstate
$45,823 · 5 yrs out
Augusta University
$45,680 · 5 yrs out
Youngstown State University
$45,652 · 5 yrs out
North Greenville University
$45,651 · 5 yrs out
North Carolina Central University
$45,612 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University in Shreveport
$45,451 · 5 yrs out
Missouri Southern State University
$45,281 · 5 yrs out
Louisiana State University at Alexandria
$45,210 · 5 yrs out
Black Hills State University
$45,142 · 5 yrs out
Southwest Minnesota State University
$45,115 · 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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