Communication and Media Studies at Capital University

A debt load of roughly $26,000 against first-year earnings near $35,800 puts Capital's Communication and Media Studies program right in the middle of what's typical for the field—both the estimated debt and earnings align closely with state and national medians for communication degrees. Based on comparable programs across Ohio, this debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.73 suggests manageable repayment, though it's worth noting that graduates from Ohio's top-tier programs in this field are earning $41,000 to $47,000 in their first year—a meaningful premium that may reflect stronger career services networks or more selective student pools.

The challenge with communication degrees generally shows up in these numbers: they rarely command high starting salaries relative to the cost of obtaining them. While the estimated debt here isn't excessive, your child would be entering the workforce earning just above the poverty line for a family of four, which limits financial flexibility in those critical early career years. Columbus offers a decent media market, which could provide local opportunities, but advancement in communications fields often requires strategic positioning and networking that may matter more than the credential itself.

If your child is passionate about media work and has a clear career path in mind, these figures won't derail their financial future. The debt is serviceable on the projected income. But if they're considering communication as a default "people person" major without specific goals, you should have a candid conversation about whether this investment—at Capital or elsewhere—makes sense compared to entering the workforce earlier or pursuing more targeted skills training.