Communication and Media Studies at Roanoke College

Roanoke College's Communication and Media Studies program produces graduates earning exactly the Virginia median at $36,220, while keeping debt notably below both state and national averages. That 60th percentile ranking among Virginia programs might sound modest, but it tells a more positive story than it appears—this program punches near the middle while costing significantly less than competitors.

The debt picture deserves emphasis here: at $27,000, graduates owe about $2,000 less than typical Virginia communications majors and fall in the 25th percentile nationally (meaning 75% of programs saddle students with more debt). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74, graduates face a manageable burden—they're borrowing less than they'll earn in their first year. Compare that to the top Virginia earners like UVA and Virginia Tech, where substantially higher earnings likely come with steeper total costs of attendance for out-of-state students or more competitive admissions.

For a family concerned about communications degrees—often criticized as impractical—Roanoke offers a reasonable middle ground. Your student won't match the $47,000+ that UVA grads command, but they'll enter the workforce with lighter debt and solid footing in a field where networking and portfolio matter as much as the institution's name. The 80% admission rate means access won't be the barrier; the question is whether mid-30s starting pay aligns with your family's financial expectations.