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

Cullowhee, NC · 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 trail the same-degree benchmark.

$13,037 below the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 42.7% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −107% · 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.

+68%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$28,996 → $48,606

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

38Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

52Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

69Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median

$16,831Awarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential

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

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$13,315

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

02 · BORROWING$18,500

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$43,322

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$196/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.

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AVERAGE NET PRICE$13,315Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$19,992Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE81.8%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE60.3%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.

$28,996Year 1

$43,322Year 4

$48,606Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

5.4% 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$3,610

Estimated loan payment$196

69borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$43,322 vs. $56,359

$13,037 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$132,280 median wageNC estimate · 1,510 jobs · 11-2032+5.7% projected U.S. growth · 6.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCommunications Teachers, Postsecondary$65,850 median wageNC estimate · 950 jobs · 25-1122+2.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreeWriters and Authors$63,660 median wageNC estimate · 1,810 jobs · 27-3043-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 11.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeEditors$73,740 median wageNC estimate · 1,870 jobs · 27-3041-1.1% projected U.S. growth · 7.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreePublic Relations Specialists$67,230 median wageNC estimate · 9,910 jobs · 27-3031+1.8% projected U.S. growth · 23k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeNews Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$58,670 median wageNC estimate · 930 jobs · 27-3023-5.9% projected U.S. growth · 3.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeBroadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$47,910 median wageNC estimate · 830 jobs · 27-3011-7.6% projected U.S. growth · 2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFundraising Managers$125,870 median wageNC estimate · 1,030 jobs · 11-2033+5.4% projected U.S. growth · 3.7k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFundraisers$66,100 median wageNC estimate · 3,700 jobs · 13-1131+5.5% projected U.S. growth · 10k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeMedia and Communication Workers, All Other$42,920 median wageNC estimate · 19,590 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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