Communication and Media Studies at University of Virginia-Main Campus

UVA's communication program delivers something rare: elite earnings without crushing debt. The $47,368 starting salary outpaces 95% of communication programs nationwide—in a field where the typical graduate earns just $34,959. Within Virginia, only DeVry matches these numbers, putting UVA near the top of 29 in-state options. The 45% earnings jump to $68,510 by year four suggests graduates are moving into substantial roles quickly, likely leveraging UVA's network and the program's reputation.

The $21,230 debt load sits below both state and national medians for this major, creating a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means your child would owe less than half their first-year salary—comfortable territory for repayment. The downside is that UVA's 17% admission rate means getting in is the real hurdle, and the low Pell Grant percentage (14%) suggests less generous aid for middle-income families who don't qualify for need-based support.

For students who can gain admission and make the finances work, this represents one of the strongest communication programs in the state. The combination of UVA's brand recognition and these concrete earnings outcomes creates genuine career momentum in a field often criticized for weak financial returns.