Communication and Media Studies at University of Phoenix-Arizona

University of Phoenix's Communication and Media Studies program charges nearly double the typical debt load for this field—$45,000 versus the national median of $25,000—but delivers starting salaries that outpace 95% of similar programs nationwide. At $47,919 in year one, graduates earn substantially more than the national median of $34,959, though within Arizona specifically, this program sits at the 60th percentile, performing comparably to ASU and U of A but at significantly higher cost.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.94 means graduates owe roughly what they earn in their first year, which is manageable but uncomfortably high for a humanities degree. What's concerning is the minimal earnings growth—just $1,800 over four years—suggesting early career momentum stalls quickly. Compare this to the $22,500 median debt at other Arizona schools: you're paying an extra $22,500 in borrowing for outcomes that aren't dramatically better in-state, even if they look strong nationally.

For families weighing this option, the math works if your student needs the flexibility of online education and can't access comparable programs at public universities. The 45% Pell grant population suggests this serves students with limited alternatives. But if admission to ASU or U of A is realistic, those institutions deliver similar earnings with half the debt burden—a critical advantage that compounds over the decade it takes to repay loans.