Communication and Media Studies at University of Phoenix-Texas

University of Phoenix-Texas graduates in Communication and Media Studies earn nearly $48,000 right after graduation—crushing both the national median ($35,000) and the Texas state median ($34,000) by roughly 40%. Among Texas's 64 schools offering this degree, this program ranks in the 80th percentile for earnings, putting graduates alongside those from UT Permian Basin and ahead of flagship programs like UT Austin and Texas A&M. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates makes these numbers reliable, not statistical noise.

The tradeoff comes in the form of $45,000 in student debt—nearly double both the national and Texas medians of around $24,000-$25,000. However, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.94, graduates can realistically pay off their loans within a year if they prioritize it, which is manageable territory for a bachelor's degree. Earnings grow modestly to nearly $50,000 by year four, showing stability rather than explosive growth.

For families weighing this program, the calculation is straightforward: you're paying a premium price for significantly above-average outcomes in a field where many graduates struggle to find well-paying work. If your child is committed to communication/media and values the flexibility of Phoenix's model, the earnings data supports this investment. But if they could access UT Austin or another public option at in-state tuition rates with lower debt, those alternatives deserve serious consideration despite slightly lower initial earnings.