Communication and Media Studies at American University

American University's Communication and Media Studies program shows a striking earnings trajectory that distinguishes it from typical communications degrees. While graduates start at $37K—below the DC median of $40K and ranking only 40th percentile locally—their earnings jump 74% to $64K by year four. That's nearly double the national median and suggests graduates are successfully navigating into DC's stronger media, advocacy, and communications markets after gaining initial experience.

The starting salary warrants attention, though. In a city where George Washington's similar program launches graduates at $51K, American's communications students begin considerably behind their DC peers despite attending a selective university (1392 SAT average). The $22,611 debt load is manageable—lower than the national median and representing just seven months of first-year earnings—but that initial income gap matters in an expensive city like Washington.

The decisive question is whether your child can weather those first few years on an entry-level salary in DC. If they're committed to communications work in the capital and willing to live frugally or get family support early on, the four-year earnings data suggests the degree opens doors to well-paying positions. But families banking on immediate post-graduation income to justify the investment should look closely at that $37K starting point.