Analysis
Prairie View A&M's Communication and Media Studies program lands in the bottom 10% of Texas programs for earnings outcomes, with first-year graduates earning just $22,269—about $11,600 below the state median for this degree. The $29,750 in typical debt is also above average for the field, creating a debt burden equivalent to 134% of that first year's salary. Even compared to selective universities like UT Austin ($43,848) or Baylor ($43,740), the gap is striking and suggests this program struggles to prepare graduates for competitive positions in Texas media markets.
The one bright spot is significant earnings growth: graduates see their income jump 68% by year four, reaching $37,494. That's meaningful progress, but it still leaves them barely ahead of the national median for all communications grads and well behind what top Texas programs deliver from day one. Given that 62% of students here receive Pell grants, many families are counting on this degree to provide economic mobility—a promise these outcomes suggest it's not fulfilling.
For families considering this program, the numbers point toward a difficult financial start. The combination of below-average earnings, above-average debt, and a student body that needs strong returns makes this a risky investment compared to other Texas options in the field.
Where Prairie View A & M University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all communication and media studies bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Prairie View A & M University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie View A & M University | $22,269 | $37,494 | +68% |
| Texas Christian University | $32,123 | $61,473 | +91% |
| University of Houston | $37,958 | $56,081 | +48% |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | $43,295 | $54,656 | +26% |
| Baylor University | $43,740 | $53,270 | +22% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Communication and Media Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (64 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View | $11,299 | $22,269 | $37,494 | $29,750 | 1.34 |
 University of Phoenix-TexasDallas | — | $47,919 | $49,715 | $45,000 | 0.94 |
 DeVry University-TexasIrving | $17,488 | $47,622 | $47,238 | $56,858 | 1.19 |
 The University of Texas Permian BasinOdessa | $10,904 | $46,203 | $45,950 | $22,852 | 0.49 |
 The University of Texas at AustinAustin | $11,678 | $43,848 | — | $20,500 | 0.47 |
 Baylor UniversityWaco | $54,844 | $43,740 | $53,270 | $23,860 | 0.55 |
| National Median | — | $34,959 | — | $25,000 | 0.72 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with communication and media studies graduates
Public Relations Managers
Fundraising Managers
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
Editors
Writers and Authors
Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
Public Relations Specialists
Fundraisers
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
Media and Communication Workers, All Other
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 Prairie View A & M University, approximately 62% 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 74 graduates with reported earnings and 97 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.