Communication and Media Studies at American University
Washington, DC · Bachelor's Degree · about 27 graduates a year
American University graduates in communication and media studies earn 20% more than the national median for the same major four years after graduating. Their median federal debt equals about 33% of one year’s pay at that point.
How American University Compares for Communication and Media Studies
All 660 colleges reporting communication and media studies earnings at this degree level, ranked by median pay four years after graduation. “Wage-adjusted” divides pay by the square root of the state’s wage index so colleges in low-wage states aren’t penalized for local pay.
| # | College | 4 yrs after | Wage-adjusted | Adj. rank | 1 yr after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | $114,266 | $116,210 | #1 | $53,022 |
| 2 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL | $93,541 | $91,903 | #2 | $52,210 |
| 3 | Cornell University Ithaca, NY | $88,463 | $84,198 | #4 | $62,182 |
| 4 | Santa Clara University Santa Clara, CA | $84,206 | $76,622 | #11 | $51,720 |
| 5 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA | $83,586 | $73,606 | #15 | $55,162 |
| 6 | Villanova University Villanova, PA | $81,497 | $82,883 | #7 | $52,294 |
| 7 | Boston University Boston, MA | $80,306 | $70,718 | #30 | $47,349 |
| 8 | Northeastern University Boston, MA | $80,191 | $70,617 | #31 | $47,465 |
| 9 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston, MA | $80,191 | $70,617 | #32 | $47,465 |
| 10 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | $79,648 | $83,980 | #5 | $50,556 |
| … | |||||
| 70 | University of Georgia Athens, GA | $68,319 | $70,724 | #29 | $44,283 |
| 71 | Washington & Jefferson College Washington, PA | $68,066 | $69,224 | #43 | $39,584 |
| 72 | Woodbury University Burbank, CA | $68,020 | $61,894 | #118 | — |
| 73 | American University Washington, DC | $67,863 | $59,466 | #173 | $36,980 |
| 74 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | $67,302 | $61,240 | #134 | $33,046 |
| 75 | University of Dayton Dayton, OH | $67,231 | $71,746 | #18 | $42,629 |
| 76 | University of Maryland Global Campus Adelphi, MD | $67,181 | $58,959 | #193 | $53,513 |
Other Communication and Media Studies Credentials at American University
| Credential | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $68,299 | $94,424 | $51,250 |
Other Majors at American University by Graduate Pay
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do American University communication and media studies graduates make?
Graduates earn a median $36,980 one year after graduating and $67,863 four years after graduating. Figures are from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How does American University rank for communication and media studies?
Among 660 colleges reporting earnings for communication and media studies graduates, American University ranks #73 by median pay four years after graduation, and #173 after adjusting for state wage levels.
Is communication and media studies at American University worth it?
Its graduates earn 20% more than the national median for communication and media studies ($56,359), and the median federal debt at graduation is $22,611.
← All data for American University · Methodology
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled; programs with few graduates are not reported. Wage adjustment uses Census ACS state median household income.