Communication and Media Studies at Gonzaga University

Gonzaga's communication graduates start at $37,799—about $2,800 above the national median but exactly matching the Washington state average. That 60th percentile placement within Washington reveals a crucial detail: while Gonzaga beats most national competitors, it lags behind the state's research universities, where UW system graduates earn nearly $7,000 more in year one. For families paying private tuition, that gap matters.

The $23,375 debt load is actually lighter than both national and state medians for this major, resulting in a manageable 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio. Graduates can expect to allocate about 62% of their first year's salary to repaying loans—certainly workable compared to many communication programs nationally. The school's 13% Pell Grant enrollment suggests most students come from families who can supplement loans with other resources.

The clearest takeaway: This program delivers average-to-solid results for a communication degree, with reasonable debt exposure. But Washington families should weigh the private school premium carefully. If your student can gain admission to UW (where competition is stiffer), they'd likely see better financial returns. Gonzaga makes sense if its smaller class sizes and Jesuit environment justify paying more for comparable earnings—or if UW admission isn't realistic given its selectivity.