Communication and Media Studies at Washington & Jefferson College

Washington & Jefferson's communication program delivers earnings that outpace three-quarters of similar programs nationally, while keeping debt 25% below the national median—a combination that's rare in this field. Graduates earn $39,584 in their first year, putting them $7,200 ahead of the typical Pennsylvania communication graduate and $4,600 above the national figure.

The 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio means your child would owe about eight months' salary, which is manageable for a liberal arts degree. At $27,000 in debt, they're borrowing less than peers at most Pennsylvania schools while earning more. Among Pennsylvania's 63 programs, only the Ivy League and a handful of selective institutions produce notably higher first-year earnings. The program punches above what you'd expect from a school with an 82% acceptance rate.

The moderate sample size suggests stable data without being so small that one or two outliers skew results. For families considering a communication degree in Pennsylvania, this represents solid preparation that translates to above-average career starts without the debt burden that often accompanies liberal arts programs. The combination of reasonable borrowing and stronger-than-typical earnings makes this a defensible choice in a field where many graduates struggle financially.