Communication and Media Studies at The University of Texas at Tyler

UT Tyler's Communication and Media Studies program reports a median debt of just $15,021—half the Texas median and far below the national average—but the earnings picture requires careful interpretation. Graduates start at $27,586, ranking in just the 25th percentile among Texas programs and well below both the state ($33,906) and national ($34,959) medians. The small sample size here matters significantly; with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a few outliers could skew these numbers considerably.

The 43% earnings growth to $39,522 by year four offers some reassurance, bringing graduates close to national benchmarks. However, this still trails most comparable Texas programs by $4,000-$8,000 annually. For context, UT Austin graduates from the same program earn $43,848 after the same time period. The debt advantage helps narrow the value gap—UT Tyler graduates carry roughly $10,000 less debt than their peers at other Texas schools—but it doesn't fully compensate for the earnings deficit over a career.

For families prioritizing minimal debt, this program delivers on that front. The 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, and graduates won't face crushing loan payments. But parents should understand their student may need to be particularly strategic about career networking and skill development to reach competitive salary levels in Texas's media market.