Communication and Media Studies at Wichita State University

Wichita State's Communication and Media Studies program delivers exactly what the numbers suggest: perfectly average outcomes at a perfectly reasonable price. Graduates earn $35,035 in their first year—essentially matching the national median—while carrying $25,159 in debt. That 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio means students borrow less than a year's salary, a manageable starting point for a field not known for high pay.

Within Kansas, this program performs slightly better than you might expect given its national standing. It ranks in the 60th percentile among state programs, outearning graduates from Ottawa University and smaller Kansas schools while trailing the flagship University of Kansas by about $5,700. The 15% earnings growth over four years ($40,440 by year four) is modest but steady, suggesting graduates find their footing rather than experiencing dramatic career acceleration.

The real question is whether $25,000 in debt makes sense for $35,000 starting pay in a communications field. For students who can attend as Kansas residents and genuinely want this career path, the math works—especially at an accessible university with a 95% admission rate. But families should understand they're paying for credentialing in a competitive field where networking and internships matter as much as the degree itself. This isn't a financial home run, but it's not a trap either.