Communication and Media Studies at Academy of Art University

California's communications programs vary dramatically in outcomes, from Cal Poly SLO's $62,000 starters to the state median of $38,000—and Academy of Art's estimated figures land right at that median while carrying debt more than double what's typical for this field in California. With an estimated $45,000 in loans against projected first-year earnings of $38,097, graduates would face monthly payments consuming roughly 13% of their gross income under standard repayment plans. That's manageable, but only if those peer-program estimates prove accurate for Academy of Art specifically.

The four-year earnings figure of $45,913 does suggest some income growth, which is encouraging. However, compare that debt load to the state median of $18,250 for communications programs in California—Academy of Art's estimated borrowing is 2.5 times higher for outcomes that appear roughly average. For a school drawing 42% Pell-eligible students, this debt level deserves serious scrutiny, particularly since we're looking at estimates rather than actual graduate outcomes.

Before committing, your child should understand they'd be betting on achieving earnings that match the California median while managing significantly above-average debt. If they can access one of California's stronger communications programs—even at a public university—the combination of lower debt and potentially stronger outcomes could make a meaningful difference in their financial flexibility after graduation.