Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other.: The DTI for this program is 62.8%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $37622) to the average debt ($23631) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 62.8%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($37622) against the typical student debt ($23631), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $37622, with grads carrying about $23631 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.63—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 1238 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other (CIP 09.9999) is a flexible and interdisciplinary field designed for programs that do not fit into traditional categories like standard news reporting or public relations. This "Other" designation often applies to emerging or highly specialized tracks such as crisis communication, political strategy, social media influence, or cross-cultural communication.
This field is ideal for "strategic storytellers" who want to understand how information moves through modern networks. It is a path for individuals who are interested in the power of the message—not just how to write it, but how to use it to influence behavior, manage a brand's reputation, or bridge gaps between different global cultures.
What Is a Communication and Journalism (Other) Degree?
A Communication and Journalism (Other) degree focuses on the strategic application of information across diverse platforms. Because it falls under the "Other" category, these programs are often at the cutting edge of the industry, exploring how artificial intelligence, psychology, and digital media analytics change the way we perceive the world. Unlike a traditional journalism degree that might focus solely on "finding the facts," this degree often focuses on "the impact of the message."
Schools offer this degree to:
- Prepare students for niche roles in corporate advocacy and "thought leadership"
- Train specialists in digital storytelling for non-profits and social causes
- Explore the intersection of data science and journalism (Data Journalism)
- Develop experts in internal organizational communication and "culture building" within large companies
What Will You Learn?
Students learn to master the "art of the pivot"—adapting a message for different audiences, platforms, and cultural contexts.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Write and produce content for multimedia platforms (text, video, audio, and social)
- Analyze audience data to understand who is consuming information and why
- Manage a brand's reputation during a crisis or public scandal
- Conduct deep-dive research to verify facts and uncover hidden trends
- Present complex ideas clearly to diverse groups of people
- Use digital tools to visualize data and tell interactive stories
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is often highly customizable and forward-thinking:
- Crisis Communication: Learning how to manage bad news and protect a reputation.
- Persuasion and Social Influence: The psychology behind why people change their minds.
- Global and Intercultural Communication: How to communicate across borders and languages.
- Digital Media Ethics: Navigating "fake news," privacy, and AI-generated content.
- Strategic Messaging: Planning long-term campaigns for businesses or political candidates.
- Narrative Non-Fiction: Using the tools of journalism to tell deeply personal, long-form stories.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates often fill roles that require a mix of creative writing, strategic thinking, and technical media skills.
Common job roles include:
- Social Media Strategist: Managing the voice and community of a major brand.
- Crisis Manager: Helping companies or celebrities navigate public relations emergencies.
- Internal Communications Manager: Ensuring employees at a large company stay informed and engaged.
- Content Marketer: Creating valuable stories that attract and keep an audience.
- Policy Advocate: Using communication to influence laws and public opinion.
- Multimedia Journalist: Reporting stories using a mix of video, photography, and text.
Where Can You Work?
Communication specialists are needed in every corner of the professional world:
- Tech and Media Companies: Running the communications for companies like Spotify, TikTok, or Netflix.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Managing fundraising campaigns and community awareness.
- Political Campaigns: Writing speeches and managing the candidate's public image.
- Large Corporations: Working in the "Corporate Affairs" or "Public Relations" departments.
- PR and Advertising Agencies: Handling the accounts of many different clients at once.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary widely depending on the industry, with "strategic" and "corporate" roles often paying significantly more than traditional reporting.
- Public Relations Specialists: Median annual salary of approximately $67,000–$75,000.
- Communications Managers: Salaries typically range from $85,000 to $125,000.
- Content Strategists: Median annual salary of around $70,000–$90,000.
- Directors of Communications: In large cities, salaries can exceed $140,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is not in "math" or "science" but in critical thinking and deadlines. You must be a strong writer and be able to work under extreme time pressure. You must also be comfortable with "subjectivity"—there isn't always one right answer in communication, and you must be able to justify your strategies with logic and data.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love writing, storytelling, and social media
- Are curious about why people believe what they believe
- Are a "people person" who enjoys networking and building relationships
- Can stay calm and think clearly when a situation becomes stressful
- Want a career that allows you to be creative but also business-minded
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in English, Speech/Debate, Psychology, and Government
- Join the school newspaper, yearbook, or speech and debate team
- Start a blog, podcast, or YouTube channel to practice your digital voice
- Volunteer to manage the social media for a local club or sports team
- Read a wide variety of news sources to understand different points of view
The ability to craft a compelling story and deliver it through the right technical channel is the hallmark of a modern communication professional.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor