Communication and Media Studies at Prairie View A & M University

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.