Communication and Media Studies at Weber State University

Weber State's Communication and Media Studies program significantly outperforms national expectations while keeping debt remarkably low. Graduates earn $43,209 in their first year—about $8,000 more than the typical communications graduate nationally and landing this program in the 92nd percentile. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 is exceptional, with graduates owing just $16,566 compared to the $25,000 national median. That's nearly $9,000 less debt for substantially higher earnings, a combination that's rare in communications programs.

Within Utah, this program sits in the middle of the pack, trailing only BYU, Utah Valley, and the University of Utah. But here's the key distinction: Weber State achieves 60th percentile earnings at the state level while charging far less than competitors. The modest 6% earnings growth to $45,678 by year four suggests graduates find stable employment quickly rather than experiencing dramatic career advancement, which isn't uncommon in communications fields.

For parents concerned about the notoriously uncertain ROI of communications degrees, Weber State offers an answer: strong regional employer connections that translate to solid starting salaries, paired with debt levels that won't burden your child for years. This is what a practical communications degree looks like—one that opens doors without mortgaging the future.