Communication and Media Studies at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville's communication program outperforms most Pennsylvania competitors where it matters most—four years into your career. While the $35,999 starting salary ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, that 32% earnings jump to $47,372 by year four suggests graduates gain meaningful traction in their fields. That's nearly $15,000 above the Pennsylvania median for communication majors and competitive with pricier private schools like Saint Joseph's that charge significantly more in tuition.

The $26,000 debt load sits right at the national median, and importantly, below Pennsylvania's typical $27,000 for this major. That 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly 9 months of their first-year salary—manageable if you're employed, though that initial $36,000 will require careful budgeting. The strong earnings growth pattern matters here: by year four, the debt represents just 55% of annual income, a much more comfortable position than many communication programs deliver.

For families concerned about ROI at an accessible state university, this program delivers solid mid-tier results. You're not getting Penn or Villanova outcomes, but you're beating 60% of Pennsylvania programs at a fraction of the cost. The key question is whether your student can navigate those leaner first couple years while building the portfolio and connections that seem to pay off for Millersville graduates.