Communication and Media Studies at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan's Communication and Media Studies program outperforms most of its in-state competitors while keeping debt manageable. With first-year earnings of $36,717 that climb to $43,310 by year four, graduates earn above both the national and Michigan medians. Among Michigan's 34 programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile—a respectable showing for a school with an 81% admission rate and significantly lower price point than elite alternatives like U-M Ann Arbor.

The debt picture strengthens this program's case. At $29,102, graduates carry slightly more than the state median, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79 means most will manage payments comfortably. More importantly, the debt burden ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs saddle students with more debt. That 18% earnings growth over four years also suggests graduates gain traction in their careers rather than stalling out.

For families concerned about return on investment in a creative field, Eastern Michigan delivers solid middle-tier outcomes without the debt load that plagues many communication programs. You won't match the $50,000+ salaries of Michigan's top-ranked program, but you'll avoid the financial stress that comes with borrowing heavily for a degree with uncertain career paths.