Communication and Media Studies at Emory & Henry University

A communications degree from Emory & Henry carries an estimated $26,500 in debt—slightly above both state and national medians—while similar Virginia programs suggest first-year earnings around $36,200. That 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, but it's worth noting that top-performing communications programs in Virginia routinely produce graduates earning $40,000 to $47,000 in their first year. With a 96% admission rate and a student body where 41% receive Pell grants, Emory & Henry serves a different population than UVA or Virginia Tech, yet the estimated debt burden doesn't reflect a corresponding discount.

The uncertainty here matters because we're working with estimates from comparable Virginia programs, not actual outcomes from Emory & Henry graduates. Small cohort sizes mean the Department of Education suppressed the real numbers, so these projections could miss program-specific factors—strong alumni networks, local employer relationships, or curriculum strengths that might justify the investment. Communications is notoriously variable in outcomes depending on what students do with the degree and where they land their first job.

Before committing, your family needs to understand whether Emory & Henry's specific program placements and connections justify paying near the state median in debt for what appears to be median outcomes. Request employment data directly from the department: where do graduates actually work, and what do they earn?