Communication and Media Studies at California State University-Sacramento

Cal State Sacramento's Communication and Media Studies program delivers solid value with exceptionally low debt and earnings that outpace most programs nationally. At just $15,000 in median debt—far below both the national ($25,000) and California ($18,250) medians for this field—graduates start with minimal financial burden. First-year earnings of $39,304 exceed the national median by over $4,000, placing this program in the 73rd percentile nationally.

The earnings trajectory looks particularly promising, with graduates seeing 33% income growth by year four, reaching $52,314. While the program ranks at the 60th percentile among California's 68 communication programs—decent but not exceptional for the state—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 is outstanding. This means graduates typically owe less than four months of their starting salary, compared to nearly nine months for the national median.

The combination of low debt and above-average starting salaries creates a compelling financial picture. Yes, top California programs like Cal Poly SLO earn significantly more ($62,183), but they likely come with substantially higher costs. For families prioritizing affordability while still achieving solid career outcomes, this program offers excellent value. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates gives confidence these numbers are reliable, not outliers.