Communication and Media Studies bachelor's degree outcomes at Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · 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.

$503 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Debt pressure: 32.7% of annual earnings
Positive-payoff price ceiling: Not reached
10-year scenario: −53% · 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$35,820 → $53,167

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

28Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort

32Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median

27Borrowers 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$18,476

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

02 · BORROWING$18,572

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$56,862

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$197/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$18,476Institution-wide annual figure

COST OF ATTENDANCE$28,816Institution-wide annual budget

ADMISSION RATE90.6%Institution context

COMPLETION RATE53.6%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.

$35,820Year 1

$56,862Year 4

$53,167Year 5

CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

4.2% 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$4,739

Estimated loan payment$197

27borrowers represented where reported

HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$56,862 vs. $56,359

$503 above 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$159,440 median wageWA estimate · 1,610 jobs · 11-2032+5.7% projected U.S. growth · 6.1k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeWriters and Authors$85,700 median wageWA estimate · 770 jobs · 27-3043-0.3% projected U.S. growth · 11.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeCommunications Teachers, Postsecondary$75,330 median wageWA estimate · 420 jobs · 25-1122+2.1% projected U.S. growth · 2.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Doctoral or professional degreePublic Relations Specialists$87,470 median wageWA estimate · 6,430 jobs · 27-3031+1.8% projected U.S. growth · 23k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeEditors$77,850 median wageWA estimate · 1,860 jobs · 27-3041-1.1% projected U.S. growth · 7.9k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeNews Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$54,760 median wageWA estimate · 880 jobs · 27-3023-5.9% projected U.S. growth · 3.4k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeBroadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys$44,420 median wageWA estimate · 620 jobs · 27-3011-7.6% projected U.S. growth · 2k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFundraising Managers$137,010 median wageWA estimate · 1,050 jobs · 11-2033+5.4% projected U.S. growth · 3.7k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeFundraisers$79,000 median wageWA estimate · 3,870 jobs · 13-1131+5.5% projected U.S. growth · 10k openings/yrTypical entry: Bachelor's degreeMedia and Communication Workers, All Other$52,590 median wageWA estimate · 260 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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