Communication and Media Studies at Hiram College

Similar media studies programs in Ohio suggest this degree would leave graduates with about $26,100 in debt and first-year earnings around $35,800—a manageable 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than many liberal arts programs. What's more encouraging is the actual reported earnings data four years out: $48,281, which surpasses what top-tier programs like John Carroll and Cincinnati report for their first-year graduates. This trajectory suggests the program delivers stronger long-term outcomes than the estimated starting salary alone would indicate.

The caveat is significant: these earnings and debt figures come from comparable Ohio programs, not Hiram's specific graduates (the college's small graduating class sizes mean the Department of Education suppresses the actual numbers). Still, the pattern is reassuring. The estimated starting salary sits right at Ohio's median for communication programs, while the verified mid-career earnings show meaningful growth. With 93% of applicants admitted and nearly a third of students receiving Pell grants, Hiram serves a different population than exclusive liberal arts colleges, yet the four-year earnings data holds up well.

For parents weighing this investment, the four-year earnings figure is the concrete data point here—and it suggests graduates find their footing after an average start. The estimated debt load appears reasonable given typical outcomes for this major in Ohio, though you'll want to verify actual financial aid offers before committing.