Communication and Media Studies at Willamette University

Willamette's communication program graduates earn nearly $2,000 below Oregon's median for the field and about $3,500 below the national benchmark. Among Oregon's 17 communication programs, this lands in the 40th percentile—meaning more than half of in-state alternatives deliver better first-year outcomes. For context, Oregon State graduates in the same major earn $40,737, nearly 30% more, while Portland State graduates still clear $35,000. Given Willamette's 79% admission rate and stronger academic profile (1339 SAT average), parents might reasonably expect outcomes closer to the state's top performers.

The $26,000 debt load sits right at the national median, and the 0.83 debt-to-earnings ratio technically stays within reasonable bounds. But $31,472 in first-year earnings makes repayment tighter than it should be, especially when students could pursue the same degree at public universities with better salary trajectories. The sample size here is small—fewer than 30 graduates—so these numbers could shift significantly year to year, but the gap between Willamette's results and state alternatives is substantial enough to warrant attention.

If your student is drawn to Willamette specifically for campus culture or location, understand you're paying a premium that isn't translating into labor market advantage—at least not initially. For families prioritizing return on investment in a communication degree, Oregon State or even Western Oregon deliver meaningfully stronger outcomes at likely lower cost.