Communication & Media Studies at Western Michigan University
If you plan to study Communication & Media Studies, consider the program at Western Michigan University. Get started with the following essential facts.
Western Michigan University sits in Kalamazoo, MI.
In the most recent year for which we have data, 56 communication & media studies degrees were awarded at Western Michigan University.
Featured schools near , edit
Studying Online at Western Michigan University
Many students take online classes at Western Michigan University. Of 16,744 students, 2,238 (13%) were enrolled entirely in distance education and 7,676 (46%) took at least some classes online.
Communication & Media Studies Rankings at Western Michigan University
Use these rankings to compare Western Michigan University’s Communication & Media Studies program against peer institutions.
Master’s-Level Rankings
| Ranking | Scope | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Best Schools (Quality) | Michigan | #10 of 18 |
| Best Value | Michigan | #13 of 18 |
| Best Value | Great Lakes (Region) | #60 of 98 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Great Lakes (Region) | #73 of 98 |
| Best Value | Nationwide | #484 of 772 |
| Best Schools (Quality) | Nationwide | #583 of 776 |
Earnings for Communication & Media Studies Graduates from Western Michigan University
Those who finish Western Michigan University’s Communication & Media Studies program earn at the following median levels (per the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard):
| Years After Graduation | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,812 |
| 2 years | $32,678 |
| 3 years | $38,249 |
| 4 years | $41,058 |
| 5 years | $46,081 |
How does this compare to the school overall? Four years after graduating, Communication & Media Studies graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of $41,058, compared with $58,084 for all Western Michigan University graduates — about 29% lower than the school-wide median.
Median Debt at Graduation
Median student loan debt for Communication & Media Studies graduates from Western Michigan University is $26,000.
Student Demographics & Diversity
Take a look at the diversity of Communication & Media Studies graduates at Western Michigan University, broken down by degree level.
Program-wide, Communication & Media Studies graduates at Western Michigan University are 61% women (34) and 39% men (22).
Communication & Media Studies Bachelor’s Program at Western Michigan University
Of the 49 bachelor’s communication & media studies degrees awarded at Western Michigan University, 59% were women (29) and 41% were men (20).
The following table and chart show the race/ethnicity of Communication & Media Studies bachelor’s degree recipients at Western Michigan University.
| Race / Ethnicity | Number of Graduates |
|---|---|
| White | 37 |
| Hispanic / Latino | 3 |
| Black / African American | 4 |
| Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander | 1 |
| Two or More Races | 1 |
| International (Nonresident) | 2 |
| Unknown | 1 |
Minority students account for 18% of Communication & Media Studies bachelor’s degree recipients at Western Michigan University, lower than the national average of 38%.*
Communication & Media Studies Master’s Program at Western Michigan University
Among the 7 master’s communication & media studies degrees awarded at Western Michigan University, 71% were women (5) and 29% were men (2).
The following table and chart show the race/ethnicity of Communication & Media Studies master’s degree recipients at Western Michigan University.
| Race / Ethnicity | Number of Graduates |
|---|---|
| White | 4 |
| Black / African American | 1 |
| International (Nonresident) | 2 |
Racial-ethnic minorities make up 14% of Communication & Media Studies master’s degree recipients at Western Michigan University, lower than the national average of 35%.*
*The racial-ethnic minorities figure is the total number of graduates minus White, international (nonresident), and unknown-race graduates.
More Specific Communication & Media Studies Concentrations at Western Michigan University
This Communication & Media Studies program at Western Michigan University offers more specialized concentrations:
| Concentration | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Communications | 7 |
| Speech Communication | 49 |
Top-Paying Careers for Communication & Media Studies Graduates
Graduates of the Communication & Media Studies program at Western Michigan University go on to a range of careers. Below are the top-paying careers for Communication & Media Studies graduates, ordered by median annual salary:
| Occupation | Nationwide Median Wage |
|---|---|
| Public Relations Managers | $139,736 |
| Fundraisers | $118,069 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $108,419 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $103,749 |
| Editors | $100,346 |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $96,169 |
| Fundraising Managers | $90,350 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $74,101 |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | $70,619 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $69,171 |
References
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
- U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard
- O*NET Online (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- National Center for Education Statistics
More about our data sources and methodologies.