Communication and Media Studies at Messiah University
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Messiah University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Messiah University graduates earn $45k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all communication and media studies bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania
Communication and Media Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (63 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Messiah University | $45,021 | $45,306 | — | — |
| University of Pennsylvania | $53,022 | $77,464 | $15,637 | 0.29 |
| Villanova University | $52,294 | $61,471 | $26,456 | 0.51 |
| Washington & Jefferson College | $39,584 | — | $27,000 | 0.68 |
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia | $38,024 | $52,915 | $26,990 | 0.71 |
| Wilkes University | $36,271 | $49,620 | $27,000 | 0.74 |
| National Median | $34,959 | — | $25,000 | 0.72 |
Other Communication and Media Studies Programs in Pennsylvania
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Pennsylvania schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia | $66,104 | $53,022 | $15,637 |
| Villanova University Villanova | $64,701 | $52,294 | $26,456 |
| Washington & Jefferson College Washington | $28,185 | $39,584 | $27,000 |
| Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia | $51,340 | $38,024 | $26,990 |
| Wilkes University Wilkes-Barre | $42,286 | $36,271 | $27,000 |
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 Messiah University, approximately 20% 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 17 graduates with reported earnings and 17 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.