Communication and Media Studies at Appalachian State University

Appalachian State's communication program outperforms most North Carolina schools in its field, with graduates earning $38,331 within a year—about $6,000 above the state median and nearly $3,400 above the national average. Among the 40 North Carolina schools offering this major, it ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing only the state's most selective universities. The $21,500 median debt is notably lower than both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 that graduates can realistically manage.

The tradeoff is limited earnings growth—just $1,800 over four years. This is typical for many communication careers, where entry-level positions offer decent starting pay but require pivoting into management, specialized roles, or freelance work for significant income increases. Still, starting within striking distance of $40,000 with below-average debt gives graduates flexibility to take on internships, build portfolios, or accept lower-paying positions in competitive markets without crushing financial pressure.

For North Carolina families, this represents solid in-state value. Your child won't match Elon or UNC-Chapel Hill graduate earnings, but they'll also avoid significantly higher costs while still earning comfortably above what most communication graduates in the state make. The manageable debt level is the program's strongest asset—it keeps career options open in a field where passion and networking often matter as much as starting salary.