Doctoral (Research)-4% vs national median234 grads tracked
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs at University of Wisconsin - Madison
Ranked 21st of 28 doctoral (research) programs in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$76,015
middle 50%: $61,184 – $91,349
Median · 5 years out
$82,379
middle 50%: $71,093 – $104,398
Median · 10 years out
$99,674
middle 50%: $75,158 – $121,110
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
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs doctorate holders earn $76k in their first year. Median earnings reach $100k by year 10.
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
≈ $4,640 total interest
Same major at other universities
University of South Carolina - Columbia
$86,507 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The)
$85,412 · 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 Utah
$82,614 · 5 yrs out
University of Colorado Boulder
$80,778 · 5 yrs out
University of Iowa
$80,729 · 5 yrs out
Texas A&M University
$77,901 · 5 yrs out
Ohio University
$77,674 · 5 yrs out
Bowling Green State University
$76,770 · 5 yrs out
Georgia State University
$76,305 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at University of Wisconsin - Madison
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Doctorate)
$227,440 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Doctorate)
$191,060 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$179,858 · 5 yrs out
Medicine (Doctorate)
$176,530 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctorate)
$153,901 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$153,036 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctorate)
$143,232 · 5 yrs out
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Bachelor's)
$140,310 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Doctorate)
$139,926 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$134,767 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$133,218 · 5 yrs out
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's)
$127,595 · 5 yrs out
Related fields of study
Communication and Media Studies
Compare universities
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
Compare universities
Journalism
Compare universities
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
Compare universities
Publishing
Compare universities
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
Compare universities