Communication and Media Studies at West Virginia State University

West Virginia State's communication program occupies an unusual position: it ranks near the bottom nationally (5th percentile) but actually performs above the state median in West Virginia. The first-year earnings of $26,351 reflect the harsh reality that WV's communication graduates earn roughly $10,000 less than the national median right out of school. The debt load of $30,788—higher than 95% of similar programs nationwide—compounds this challenge with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.17.

However, the 43% earnings jump to $37,669 by year four suggests real career momentum, ultimately pushing earnings above both state and national medians for this field. Among West Virginia's eight programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile, meaning it's actually a competitive in-state option despite poor national standing. That matters if your student is staying local, where they'll face the same depressed media market regardless of which WV school they choose.

The critical caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, making them statistically unstable. One or two outlier careers could skew the picture significantly. For a field where starting salaries barely exceed minimum wage and debt exceeds that first year's earnings, this program requires either strong confidence in career progression or financial backup during those lean early years. The growth trajectory offers hope, but you're betting on a small sample in a tough market.