Communication and Media Studies at Bellevue University

Similar communication programs in Nebraska suggest first-year earnings around $40,445—slightly above the national median for this field but in line with what other Nebraska schools report. With an estimated $26,000 in debt, this creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64, meaning graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary. That's workable territory for most borrowers.

The challenge with Bellevue's program is that you're making decisions based on peer program outcomes rather than this school's actual graduate track record. The nearby University of Nebraska at Omaha reports $41,327 for similar graduates—close to the state estimate—but individual programs can vary considerably in their career preparation and employer connections. Communication degrees are notoriously broad, and outcomes depend heavily on whether graduates find work in strategic communications, media production, or lower-paying retail and service roles.

Given the limited visibility into Bellevue's specific outcomes, parents should dig deeper into what career services and internship pipelines this program offers. The debt estimate sits near national norms for the field, but you want confidence that Bellevue's curriculum and network will actually deliver earnings in that $40,000 range rather than leaving graduates underemployed. Talk directly with recent alumni about their first jobs out—that's your best proxy for what data suppression leaves invisible.