Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Baylor University

Baylor's media program starts rough but rebounds impressively—first-year graduates earn just $27,554, well below both Texas's median of $31,762 and the national average. But here's what matters: by year four, earnings jump 69% to $46,487, eventually surpassing nearly every comparable Texas program except UT Arlington and Texas A&M. That trajectory suggests the Baylor degree opens doors that take time to walk through, likely as graduates build portfolios and industry connections.

The $25,000 debt load is manageable and actually slightly below the Texas median, keeping that difficult first year from becoming a crisis. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.91 means your child could theoretically pay off their loans with one year's salary, though early-career budgets rarely allow that. The real question is whether your family can weather those lean initial years—$27,554 in a media market means roommates and tight budgets.

This program makes sense if your child is genuinely committed to media careers and willing to hustle through the early grind. The earnings growth suggests Baylor's network and reputation eventually pay dividends. But if they're lukewarm about the field or need immediate earning power after graduation, those first couple of years could feel painfully long. The investment works if you're playing the long game.