Communication and Media Studies at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

UCD's Communication and Media Studies program charges slightly above-market debt—$27,000 versus $24,500 for Colorado programs—but graduates earn nearly $40,000 in their first year, placing them at exactly the 75th percentile nationally. That's a strong starting point, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.68 means graduates can realistically manage their loans while building their careers.

The earnings trajectory looks healthy, with graduates seeing a 19% increase to $47,200 by year four. Within Colorado, this program sits comfortably in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile—trailing Boulder and Fort Collins slightly, but outperforming most state competitors. More importantly, the debt load is relatively modest for a major urban campus, and the program has a robust sample size that makes these numbers reliable.

For parents concerned about whether a communications degree is worth the investment, this program demonstrates it can be. Graduates are earning above-average salaries for the field while taking on manageable debt. The combination of UCD's Denver location (valuable for media internships and connections) and solid post-graduation outcomes makes this a reasonable choice, particularly for in-state students. Just understand you're paying a small premium over the state median, though the earnings justify it.