Communication and Media Studies at Western Kentucky University

Western Kentucky's Communication and Media Studies program sits squarely in the middle of the pack—40th percentile among Kentucky programs and 44th percentile nationally—with first-year graduates earning about $34,000. That's roughly $7,000 less than what Eastern Kentucky or University of Kentucky graduates earn in the same field. For a highly accessible program (97% admission rate), the outcomes are modest but predictable: you get what the market typically pays for communication majors in Kentucky.

The debt picture is reasonable at $23,500, slightly below both state and national medians for this program, giving graduates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69. Earnings do grow 21% over four years to reach $41,000, which suggests some career progression. However, that still leaves graduates earning less than peers from Kentucky's top programs made in their first year out of school.

For families watching their budget, this program won't break the bank on debt, but it also won't deliver premium earnings. If your student is passionate about communications and wants to stay in Kentucky, they'll likely find similar outcomes at most state schools—though paying a bit more for UK or EKU might yield noticeably better starting salaries. The program works as an affordable path into the field, just not a particularly lucrative one.