Best Communication and Media Studies Degrees in Pennsylvania by ROI
Colleges in Pennsylvania ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in Pennsylvania
36
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$268,210
Across Pennsylvania programs
Average Annual Cost
$53,739
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
University of Pennsylvania
Grad rate: 96.5% |
+$63,898 | $63,398 | $85,738 | $15,637 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Susquehanna University
Grad rate: 74.9% |
-$17,632 | $55,631 | $72,563 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Albright College
Grad rate: 45.6% |
-$89,014 | $48,248 | $44,381 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Villanova University
Grad rate: 91.5% |
-$100,859 | $54,916 | $80,866 | $26,456 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Grad rate: 84.0% |
-$155,018 | $43,413 | $36,707 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Elizabethtown College
Grad rate: 76.6% |
-$165,672 | $45,335 | $49,318 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Grad rate: 55.7% |
-$179,904 | $40,177 | $27,086 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia
Grad rate: 81.0% |
-$183,348 | $47,757 | $65,513 | $26,990 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Grad rate: 44.8% |
-$185,316 | $39,363 | $24,369 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
University of Scranton
Grad rate: 80.3% |
-$210,380 | $45,040 | $67,795 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Geneva College
Grad rate: 65.1% |
-$227,056 | $39,260 | $43,064 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Thiel College
Grad rate: 43.4% |
-$233,524 | $40,593 | $51,346 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Wilkes University
Grad rate: 59.8% |
-$234,434 | $43,492 | $56,956 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Grad rate: 66.2% |
-$240,664 | $36,678 | $24,781 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Allegheny College
Grad rate: 67.2% |
-$246,726 | $45,609 | $70,614 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Communication and Media Studies Degrees by State
Browse Communication and Media Studies programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.