Communication and Media Studies at East Tennessee State University

ETSU's Communication and Media Studies program sits right at Tennessee's median for earnings, but that's actually a warning sign—the state's median is far below the national benchmark. Starting at $27,380, graduates earn about $7,500 less than the typical communications major nationwide, placing this program in just the 12th percentile nationally. The comparison to top Tennessee programs is stark: Belmont and UT-Knoxville graduates earn roughly $14,000 more in their first year.

The 23% earnings growth over four years brings graduates to $33,614, which helps close the gap somewhat, and the $23,250 debt load is manageable at an 0.85 ratio to first-year earnings. However, even after four years, these graduates still trail the national first-year average. For an 87% admission rate school serving many Pell-eligible students, this represents an accessible but economically limited path into communications work.

The practical reality: if your child can get into UT-Knoxville or Belmont, those programs offer substantially better earnings outcomes in the same field. If ETSU is the most affordable option due to in-state tuition and location, understand that this degree leads to entry-level communications work that pays below national standards, though the debt burden won't be crushing. Consider whether that career ceiling aligns with your child's financial goals and whether they're willing to potentially relocate for better opportunities post-graduation.