Communication and Media Studies at Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Starting just below $32,000 after graduation, Texas A&M-San Antonio's communication program lands graduates roughly $2,000 under the Texas median and $3,000 below the national average. That 40th percentile ranking among Texas schools means most in-state alternatives produce better initial outcomes—UT Austin grads, for instance, earn nearly $12,000 more in their first year. The debt load of $20,500 is manageable and actually sits below both state and national medians, which provides some cushion against the lower earnings.

The challenge here is that communication degrees require strategic career planning to maximize value, and starting in the bottom half of Texas outcomes means students need to be particularly intentional. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64 suggests the loan burden is reasonable—graduates could theoretically pay it off within two years of focused payments—but that assumes stable employment and minimal living expenses in a city where rent has been climbing. With over half the student body receiving Pell grants, many families are counting on this degree to change their economic trajectory.

For families considering this program, the question becomes whether the lower cost of attendance (reflected in that below-average debt) compensates for the below-average starting salary. If your student has strong internship opportunities or family connections in media markets like San Antonio or Austin, this could work. Otherwise, the numbers suggest looking at alternatives that better position graduates for day-one earning power.