Est. Earnings (1yr)
$41,494
Est. from national median (14 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$23,250
Est. from national median (9 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs nationally, Calvin's Business/Corporate Communications degree appears to position graduates below Michigan's typical outcomes for this field. Similar programs in Michigan produce median first-year earnings around $49,378, while national peer programs suggest Calvin's graduates start closer to $41,494—nearly $8,000 less than the state benchmark. At an estimated $23,250 in debt, the financial picture isn't dire (the debt-to-earnings ratio sits at a manageable 0.56), but the earnings gap matters for a communications degree in a state where other programs demonstrate stronger market outcomes.

The challenge here is that with only four Michigan schools offering this specific major and limited public data, you're making decisions with significant blind spots. Calvin's solid academic profile (1205 average SAT) suggests capable students, but that doesn't automatically translate to stronger career placement in communications roles. The field rewards networking, internship quality, and geographic connections—factors that data can't capture but matter enormously for first jobs in corporate communications.

If your child is set on this combination of school and major, focus on what Calvin can deliver beyond the estimated numbers: corporate partnerships in Grand Rapids, faculty industry connections, and internship access. But recognize you're likely betting on those intangibles offsetting what appears to be a meaningful earnings disadvantage compared to the state standard.

Where Calvin University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/corporate communications bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Business/Corporate Communications bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (4 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids$38,670$41,494*$23,250*
Aquinas CollegeGrand Rapids$38,520$49,378*$51,589$23,250*0.47
National Median$41,494*$23,250*0.56
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/corporate communications graduates

Public Relations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraising Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Technical Writers

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

$91,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Public Relations Specialists

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

$69,780/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

$66,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

Read transcript or proof type setup to detect and mark for correction any grammatical, typographical, or compositional errors. Excludes workers whose primary duty is editing copy. Includes proofreaders of braille.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Calvin University, approximately 14% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 14 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.