Communication and Media Studies at Washburn University

Washburn's communication program manages what many liberal arts degrees struggle with: keeping debt reasonable while delivering above-average starting salaries. At $39,932 in year one, graduates earn more than 76% of communication majors nationwide and outpace the Kansas median by over $6,000. Combined with below-average debt of $21,875, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 means most graduates will face manageable repayment schedules.

The challenge lies in what happens next. Earnings barely budge over four years, growing just 3% to $41,062. While Washburn beats most Kansas programs initially—only the University of Kansas does better—this flat trajectory suggests limited advancement opportunities for many graduates. For context, the typical bachelor's degree holder sees stronger salary growth during these early career years. That said, communication majors entering fields like public relations, marketing, or corporate communications often need those first few years to establish themselves before seeing meaningful raises.

For families, this program represents a solid entry point into media and communication careers without the burden of crushing debt. Just understand that your child may need to be strategic about career moves after graduation to see their salary grow substantially. The moderate sample size means these numbers reflect 30-100 actual graduates, providing reasonable confidence in the data.