Communication and Media Studies at University of California-Davis

UC Davis graduates communications majors who earn significantly more than the national median while carrying roughly half the typical debt load—a combination that's rare in this field. At $42,569 in year one, these graduates outperform 89% of communication programs nationally, and by year four they're earning $60,820, a 43% jump that suggests strong career progression. The $13,000 median debt is exceptionally low, placing this program in the 95th percentile nationally for affordability.

The California comparison adds important nuance. While UC Davis ranks in the 60th percentile among in-state options—trailing programs like Cal Poly SLO and Santa Clara—its value proposition remains compelling when you factor in debt levels. Those top-earning programs typically come with substantially higher costs, and UC Davis delivers solid outcomes at a fraction of the financial risk. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 means graduates owe less than a third of their first-year salary, making those early-career years far more manageable than at most schools.

For an anxious parent weighing UC Davis communications against other California options, the key insight is this: your child may not graduate into the absolute highest-paying communications jobs, but they'll start strong, grow steadily, and avoid the debt burden that plagues many liberal arts graduates. That's a combination worth considering seriously, especially given UC Davis's broader academic reputation and the 31% Pell grant population that suggests genuine accessibility.