Communication and Media Studies at Ohio University-Main Campus

Ohio University's Communication and Media Studies program outperforms both state and national benchmarks, with graduates earning about $10,600 more by year four than the typical communication major in Ohio. Starting at $36,666, earnings climb to $46,373 within four years—a 27% increase that suggests graduates are successfully transitioning from entry-level positions into more substantial roles. Among Ohio's 54 programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, placing it solidly in the middle-upper tier behind private schools like Denison and Dayton, but competitive with larger public universities.

The debt picture is similarly reasonable: at $24,063, graduates owe slightly less than state and national medians while earning more. That 0.66 debt-to-earnings ratio means the typical graduate carries debt equal to about eight months of first-year salary—manageable for a communications field where starting salaries tend to be modest. The strong earnings trajectory matters here, as year-four income provides significantly more breathing room for loan repayment.

For an accessible public university with an 85% acceptance rate, these outcomes represent solid value. Your student won't match the earning power of Denison grads right away, but they'll avoid the private school premium while still achieving above-average results in a competitive field. The key advantage is that combination of lower debt and steady earnings growth that puts graduates on stable financial footing within a few years.