Communication and Media Studies at Brigham Young University-Idaho

BYU-Idaho's Communication and Media Studies program offers something increasingly rare: genuinely affordable training that actually beats most alternatives. With just $13,207 in median debt—half the state average and barely a third of the national figure—graduates emerge with financial flexibility their peers at other schools simply don't have. The first-year salary of $36,941 might seem modest, but that 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio means students can realistically handle their loans while building a career.

The earnings trajectory tells a realistic story about this field. By year four, graduates are making nearly $40,000, putting them at the 60th percentile statewide and outpacing the national median. That's solid middle-of-the-pack performance, which matters less than the debt picture here. While Boise State grads earn slightly more initially, they typically carry far heavier debt loads that can offset any earnings advantage.

The real win is graduating without financial shackles. For a family concerned about student debt—and who isn't these days—this program delivers practical value. Your child won't make a fortune in their twenties, but they also won't be delaying life milestones because of loan payments. In communication fields where entry-level salaries rarely dazzle, keeping debt minimal is often smarter than chasing marginally higher earnings at twice the cost.