Communication and Media Studies at Vanderbilt University
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee
Communication and Media Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (25 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | $27,380* | $62,250 | $21,439* | — |
| Belmont University | $41,889* | $56,043 | $22,125* | 0.53 |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $41,258* | $48,099 | $20,875* | 0.51 |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga | $33,082* | $45,448 | $21,831* | 0.66 |
| Lipscomb University | $31,767* | — | $21,253* | 0.67 |
| Middle Tennessee State University | $29,877* | $37,594 | $24,329* | 0.81 |
| National Median | $34,959* | — | $25,000* | 0.72 |
Other Communication and Media Studies Programs in Tennessee
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Tennessee schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont University Nashville | $41,320 | $41,889 | $22,125 |
| The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville | $13,484 | $41,258 | $20,875 |
| The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga | $10,144 | $33,082 | $21,831 |
| Lipscomb University Nashville | $38,824 | $31,767 | $21,253 |
| Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro | $9,506 | $29,877 | $24,329 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Vanderbilt University, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 13 similar programs in TN. Actual outcomes may vary.