Communication, Journalism, at Ohio State University-Main Campus

Ohio State's communication program outperforms expectations by a comfortable margin. Its first-year earnings of $41,040 beat the national median by 20% and rank in the 85th percentile nationwide—impressive for a field often criticized for weak starting salaries. Within Ohio, graduates earn 22% more than the state median, placing it solidly above other in-state options despite ranking at the 60th percentile (limited by Ohio's small four-program field).

The debt picture looks reasonable at $22,250, translating to a 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio that should be manageable for most graduates. While this debt level sits slightly above the national median, it's offset by the stronger earning power. The 18% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates find their footing in the job market, reaching nearly $49,000 by the fourth year—a trajectory that points toward career stability rather than stagnation.

For an anxious parent worried about the "what can you do with a communications degree?" question, Ohio State provides a concrete answer: more than most programs deliver. The combination of strong alumni networks from a flagship university and above-average outcomes makes this a viable path, particularly for students who can access in-state tuition rates.