Communication and Media Studies at Central College
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa
Communication and Media Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (22 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central College | $40,376* | $48,195 | $26,750* | — |
| Luther College | $42,012* | $47,382 | $27,000* | 0.64 |
| University of Northern Iowa | $40,558* | $45,629 | $19,387* | 0.48 |
| Iowa State University | $40,497* | $45,673 | $19,425* | 0.48 |
| Wartburg College | $40,255* | $43,549 | $26,750* | 0.66 |
| University of Iowa | $37,647* | $56,246 | $25,814* | 0.69 |
| National Median | $34,959* | — | $25,000* | 0.72 |
Other Communication and Media Studies Programs in Iowa
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Iowa schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luther College Decorah | $50,320 | $42,012 | $27,000 |
| University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls | $9,728 | $40,558 | $19,387 |
| Iowa State University Ames | $10,497 | $40,497 | $19,425 |
| Wartburg College Waverly | $51,040 | $40,255 | $26,750 |
| University of Iowa Iowa City | $10,964 | $37,647 | $25,814 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Central College, approximately 21% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 6 similar programs in IA. Actual outcomes may vary.