Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Ohio University-Eastern Campus

Ohio University-Eastern's media program shows something you don't often see in communications degrees: strong earnings growth after a modest start. While first-year graduates earn $29,086—roughly matching both state and national medians—by year four that figure jumps 42% to over $41,000. Among Ohio's 28 media programs, this performs right at the state median initially but that trajectory suggests graduates build valuable skills that translate to better opportunities within a few years.

The $25,000 debt load is reasonable relative to that earning pattern, with a 0.86 debt-to-earnings ratio that should be manageable for most graduates. That said, the sharp disparity with Ohio's top programs is hard to ignore—Miami University's graduates earn 75% more right out of the gate. This isn't necessarily a dealbreaker, though, especially if your student is considering regional campus tuition savings. The low Pell grant percentage (9%) suggests most students here come from families with some financial cushion, which may help weather that slower initial earning phase.

For families willing to take a multi-year view, this program delivers solid value—but your student needs realistic expectations about entry-level media salaries and should plan for that first year or two of relatively modest earnings. The growth curve is encouraging, just not immediate.