Communication and Media Studies at Boise State University

Boise State's communication graduates earn about $8,000 more than the national median for this major, placing them comfortably ahead of most programs nationwide. Within Idaho, the program leads the state's seven communication offerings, outperforming even BYU-Idaho by roughly $1,000 annually. Starting at $38K and climbing to $45.5K by year four represents solid momentum for a degree that doesn't always translate into strong earnings.

The debt picture is reasonable here—$23,095 means graduates owe about seven months of their first-year salary, which is manageable territory. That 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests most graduates can handle payments without undue stress, and the 20% earnings growth over four years indicates this degree opens doors rather than leading to a career plateau. For a major often criticized for weak job prospects, these numbers tell a more optimistic story.

For families weighing this program, understand you're looking at a communications degree that actually performs. It won't generate tech-sector income, but graduates leave with less debt than the national average and earn more than their peers elsewhere. If your child is set on this field, Boise State offers better outcomes than most alternatives—just ensure they have a clear career path in mind beyond "I want to work in media."