Communication and Media Studies at Truman State University

Truman State's Communication and Media Studies program starts graduates below both national and Missouri benchmarks, but the trajectory tells a more interesting story. That first-year salary of $31,853 jumps to $46,249 by year four—a 45% increase that suggests graduates land entry-level positions but advance quickly into better-paying roles. This pattern is relatively common in communications, where experience and portfolio development drive early career growth.

Within Missouri, this program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, trailing the University of Missouri-Columbia's $44,078 median by about $2,000 after four years but performing comparably to other regional universities. The debt load of $23,250 is manageable—lower than both national and state medians—and represents less than a year's income at the four-year mark. The 0.73 debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio isn't concerning given the strong upward earnings trajectory.

The real question is whether your student can weather that challenging first year financially. If they have family support or modest living expenses during the initial post-graduation period, this program offers a reasonable path forward. The combination of selective admissions (SAT 1249) and moderate debt suggests Truman delivers respectable academic preparation without overleveraging students, even if immediate outcomes don't dazzle.