Communication and Media Studies bachelor's degree outcomes at Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI · Public · Federal field 0901

Data scope

Federal records group outcomes by college, four-digit field and credential level. A record may cover several catalog programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are close to the same-degree benchmark.

$4,913 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 50.5% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −73% · Negative payoff
Price evidence: College-wide context only

OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+48%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$31,169 → $46,081

—Earn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

40Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

56Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

64Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

Not availableAwarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

—Recent awardsIPEDS 2023–24 first-major completions in this field and credential

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$15,273

Institution-wide annual average net price—not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$26,000

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$51,446

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$276/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

Enter my price →

AVERAGE NET PRICE$15,273Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$29,237Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE84.6%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE57.6%Institution-wide completion rate

WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$31,169Year 1

$51,446Year 4

$46,081Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

6.4% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$4,287

Estimated loan payment$276

64borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$51,446 vs. $56,359

$4,913 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median

WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for—not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.

Public Relations Managers$117,900 median wageMI estimate · 1,720 jobs · 11-2032+5.7% projected U.S. growth · 6.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCommunications Teachers, Postsecondary$87,670 median wageMI estimate · 630 jobs · 25-1122+2.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeWriters and Authors$76,910 median wageU.S. estimate · 47,940 jobs · 27-3043-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 11.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePublic Relations Specialists$65,300 median wageMI estimate · 7,510 jobs · 27-3031+1.8% projected U.S. growth · 23k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeEditors$63,090 median wageMI estimate · 1,690 jobs · 27-3041-1.1% projected U.S. growth · 7.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeNews Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$62,760 median wageMI estimate · 960 jobs · 27-3023-5.9% projected U.S. growth · 3.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeBroadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$46,640 median wageMI estimate · 650 jobs · 27-3011-7.6% projected U.S. growth · 2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFundraising Managers$113,360 median wageMI estimate · 880 jobs · 11-2033+5.4% projected U.S. growth · 3.7k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFundraisers$66,130 median wageMI estimate · 3,170 jobs · 13-1131+5.5% projected U.S. growth · 10k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeMedia and Communication Workers, All Other$58,720 median wageMI estimate · 60 jobs · 27-3099+3.9% projected U.S. growth · 2k openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentNO MATCHNot available median wageU.S. estimate · Unreported jobs · 99-9999

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