Communication and Media Studies at University of North Alabama

University of North Alabama's Communication and Media Studies program starts graduates at $30,182—below both the national median ($34,959) and Alabama's median ($33,172) for this field. While ranking in just the 23rd percentile nationally, it performs closer to the middle of the pack within Alabama (40th percentile), though it still trails the state's stronger programs by $5,000 to $10,000 annually. The $21,000 in median debt is actually lower than typical for this major, but that advantage gets offset by the below-average starting salary.

The 22% earnings growth to $36,690 by year four shows some upward trajectory, bringing graduates closer to what peers at other Alabama schools earn initially. However, communication and media studies already ranks among lower-earning majors nationally, and starting in the bottom quarter makes the financial picture tighter. The 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable but leaves little room for error in a field where job outcomes can vary widely based on specific career paths.

For families looking at communication degrees in Alabama, this program costs less in debt than competitors but also delivers less in immediate earning power. If your student is committed to this field and values UNA's environment, the lower debt provides some cushion. But if maximizing early-career earnings matters—particularly for covering loan payments or building financial stability—programs at Alabama, Samford, or Auburn offer significantly stronger returns from day one.