Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degree) at Eastern Oregon University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$37,143

62nd percentile

60th percentile in Oregon

Median Debt

$29,801

19% above national median

Analysis

Eastern Oregon University's communication degree sits solidly in the middle of the pack, outearning both state and national medians by roughly $3,000-4,000 annually. Among Oregon's 17 programs, these graduates land around the 60th percentile—competitive with Western Oregon and ahead of flagship schools like University of Oregon and Portland State. The $37,143 first-year salary won't impress anyone, but it's respectable for a broad liberal arts degree from a regional campus.

The debt picture is unusually favorable. At $29,801, borrowers here carry significantly less than the national median of $25,000 might suggest—this program ranks in the 5th percentile for debt, meaning 95% of similar programs saddle graduates with more. The 0.80 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates earn back their full debt load in under a year of work, which is manageable territory for an entry-level humanities degree.

The major caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so one or two outliers could skew the picture considerably. For families considering Eastern Oregon for in-state tuition reasons, these numbers suggest reasonable value—you're not paying premium prices for below-average outcomes. Just understand that communication degrees typically require hustle and networking to translate into stable careers, regardless of where you earn them.

Where Eastern Oregon University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all communication and media studies bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Eastern Oregon University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon

Communication and Media Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (17 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Eastern Oregon UniversityLa Grande	$10,671	$37,143	—	$29,801	0.80
Oregon State University-Cascades CampusBend	$12,594	$40,737	$48,116	$21,740	0.53
Oregon State UniversityCorvallis	$13,494	$40,737	$48,116	$21,740	0.53
Western Oregon UniversityMonmouth	$11,025	$37,600	$50,672	$21,316	0.57
Portland State UniversityPortland	$11,238	$35,143	$45,675	$24,582	0.70
University of OregonEugene	$15,669	$33,165	—	$16,500	0.50
National Median	—	$34,959	—	$25,000	0.72

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with communication and media studies graduates

Public Relations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraising Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Public Relations Specialists

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

$69,780/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

$66,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.

$60,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.

Jobs growth:

Media and Communication Workers, All Other

All media and communication workers not listed separately.

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 Eastern Oregon University, approximately 36% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 27 graduates with reported earnings and 29 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.