Communication and Media Studies at Bemidji State University

Bemidji State's communication program sits at the bottom quarter of Minnesota schools for this major, with first-year earnings of $34,243 falling $6,000 below the state median and trailing competitors like Metro State and Concordia by $12,000 or more. That gap matters in a state where communication graduates typically earn $40,000+, and it becomes harder to justify when you consider the program carries more debt than most Minnesota alternatives.

The debt load of $20,875 isn't catastrophic—it's actually lower than both state and national medians—but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 is less favorable than it appears because earnings start low. Graduates are managing reasonable debt on below-average incomes, which can still feel tight in those first years out of college. The positive spin is that this program costs less to attend than many Minnesota privates where communication majors also struggle with earnings.

The significant caveat here is the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked), which means one or two outliers could skew these numbers considerably. Still, ranking 25th percentile statewide suggests a pattern worth examining. If your child is set on communication studies and in-state tuition makes Bemidji affordable, the manageable debt provides a safety net. But families should honestly assess whether this program offers meaningful advantages over Minnesota State schools where communication grads are clearing $46,000 their first year out.