Communication and Media Studies at Wilberforce University

Based on comparable programs in Ohio, Wilberforce's communication degree appears to land graduates near the state median at around $35,800 in first-year earnings—squarely in the middle of what these programs typically deliver. The estimated $26,100 in debt is slightly above Ohio's median for the field, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73. That ratio suggests manageable repayment: roughly 73 cents of debt for every dollar earned in that first year.

What's harder to assess is whether Wilberforce provides the networking advantages and skill development that help communication majors break into higher-paying roles. The top Ohio programs—Denison, Dayton, Ohio State—place graduates earning $41,000 to $47,000, about 15-30% more than the state median. These schools often have stronger industry connections and alumni networks that matter significantly in media and corporate communications. With 74% of Wilberforce students receiving Pell grants, many families here are weighing affordability against outcomes, and the estimated figures suggest this program tracks with typical results rather than exceptional ones.

The key limitation is that these are estimates from peer programs, not actual tracked outcomes for Wilberforce graduates. If this program offers strong internship pipelines, faculty industry connections, or particular regional employer relationships, the real outcomes could be better. But based on what similar programs produce, expect middle-of-the-pack earnings with debt that's workable but not negligible.