Communication and Media Studies at Texas A&M University-College Station

Texas A&M's communication program outperforms nearly every benchmark that matters. Graduates earn $43,295 in their first year—placing them in the 93rd percentile nationally and 80th percentile statewide—while carrying just $17,782 in debt, roughly $7,000 below the Texas median. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 means graduates can realistically pay off their loans in less than six months of work, an unusually favorable position for a communications degree. The strong earnings continue upward too, with 26% growth to $54,656 by year four.

What makes this particularly noteworthy is how consistently A&M graduates outearn their peers. The typical communication major nationally earns $34,959 their first year; A&M's graduates earn $8,000 more. Even within Texas, where A&M ranks below a couple specialized programs, it's essentially tied with UT Austin while costing less upfront and offering the networking advantages of the Aggie network. For a relatively accessible program (63% admission rate), these outcomes are impressive.

The combination of strong immediate earnings, manageable debt, and continued salary growth makes this one of the better-value communication programs in Texas. Parents concerned about the financial viability of a liberal arts degree should find these numbers reassuring—this isn't a program that leaves graduates scrambling.