Communication and Media Studies at Kent State University at Salem

Kent State Salem's Communication and Media Studies program performs right in the middle of the pack—which tells you something important about the field itself. At $35,804 starting out, graduates earn exactly what the state median delivers, and just slightly above the national benchmark. The $26,000 in debt is manageable, with a 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than many communications programs. With 31% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a more economically diverse population than many Ohio options.

The 24% earnings bump over four years suggests graduates gain traction in the job market, reaching $44,278 by year four. That's solid growth, though still well behind what graduates from Ohio's elite programs earn right out of the gate. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) means these numbers reflect consistent outcomes, not statistical noise.

For parents evaluating this against pricier Ohio alternatives, the value proposition is straightforward: you're getting median outcomes at a regional campus price point. If your child is set on communications and wants to stay close to home in northeastern Ohio, this delivers predictable results without excessive debt. Just understand that "communications major" anywhere—even at schools like Denison—means starting salaries in the $35,000-$47,000 range, so career planning and networking matter as much as where the degree comes from.