Communication and Media Studies at University of Minnesota-Duluth

UMN-Duluth's Communication and Media Studies program lands right in the middle of Minnesota's competitive landscape—performing 75th percentile nationally but 40th percentile within the state. That gap tells you something important: Minnesota has unusually strong outcomes for this major, and while Duluth beats the national average handily, it trails schools like Gustavus Adolphus ($50,074) and several Twin Cities institutions by $6,000-$10,000 annually.

The financial fundamentals look reasonable. Starting at $39,706 with $24,182 in debt gives you a manageable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio, and the 25% income growth to nearly $50,000 by year four suggests graduates find their footing professionally. That trajectory compares favorably to many liberal arts programs that plateau earlier. The debt load sits just below both state and national medians, which matters when comparing schools.

For families weighing this against other Minnesota options, consider the geographic reality: Duluth's smaller market may limit initial opportunities compared to Twin Cities programs, but the outcomes still beat most communication programs nationwide. If your student wants the UMN system's resources at a regional campus price point, this works. But if maximizing early earnings matters more and your student can access Twin Cities metro schools—whether private colleges or Metropolitan State—those extra thousands per year compound quickly over a career.