Communication and Media Studies at Boston University

Boston University's Communication and Media Studies program stands out as a top performer in a field often criticized for poor career prospects. With first-year earnings of $47,349—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile in Massachusetts—this program significantly outperforms the typical communication degree, which nationally yields just $35,000 in starting salary.

The debt picture is manageable at $25,108, creating a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53. More importantly, graduates see strong earning progression, with median pay jumping 46% to $69,156 by year four. Among Massachusetts programs, BU trails only Boston College in this field, positioning graduates well in the competitive Boston media market.

While communication degrees often struggle with career outcomes, BU's combination of prestigious brand recognition, strong alumni networks, and prime location in a major media hub appears to make a meaningful difference. The robust sample size gives confidence in these numbers. For families willing to invest in a selective program (11% admission rate), this represents one of the stronger financial returns available in communication studies.