Communication and Media Studies at Central Washington University

Central Washington's communication program graduates start at $35,820—slightly above the national average but trailing most Washington competitors. That 40th percentile state ranking matters more than the national comparison, because in-state tuition and the Seattle media market make Washington schools the natural comparison set. The gap is particularly striking against the University of Washington system, where graduates earn nearly $9,000 more right out of school.

The good news is debt: at $18,572, CWU keeps borrowing well below both state and national medians, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52. While earnings do grow 21% over four years to $43,216, this still lags behind several state competitors. For a field where entry-level positions often cluster in pricier media markets like Seattle, starting $4,000 below the state median creates real challenges.

This program makes sense if keeping debt low is your priority and you're comfortable with slower initial career momentum. The high admission rate and significant Pell grant population suggest CWU serves students who might not access higher-ranked programs. But if your child can gain admission to UW or Seattle University, those programs deliver stronger earning power that likely justifies somewhat higher borrowing. The value here is accessibility and affordability, not career acceleration.