Communication and Media Studies at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

University of Cincinnati's two-year Communication and Media Studies program produces graduates earning $38,767—a figure that sits in the 95th percentile nationally but only the 60th percentile within Ohio. This tells an interesting story: what looks exceptional compared to most community colleges nationwide is actually middle-of-the-road for Ohio, where this program appears particularly robust across institutions. The $17,922 in median debt (5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs carry higher debt loads) creates a manageable 0.46 debt-to-earnings ratio—graduates would need less than half a year's salary to cover their educational debt.

However, the sample size here is tiny—fewer than 30 graduates—which means these numbers could swing significantly with just a few data points. The earnings figure also seems unusually high for an associate's degree holder in this field fresh out of college. It's worth investigating whether graduates are completing bachelor's degrees elsewhere or whether Cincinnati's media market offers unusually strong entry-level opportunities.

For parents, this presents a low-risk entry point into media studies if your student is certain about this path. The debt load is modest, and UC's accessibility (88% admission rate) makes it achievable. But given the small sample and the fact that Ohio community colleges generally perform well in this field, comparison shopping is essential—your student might find similar outcomes at lower cost elsewhere in the state.