Communication and Media Studies at Carroll College

Carroll College's Communication and Media Studies program leaves parents navigating considerable uncertainty. With earnings and debt figures both estimated from national benchmarks—first-year earnings around $35,000 and debt near $26,000—there's no way to know how this specific program's graduates actually fare. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 seems manageable on paper, but Montana's communication programs typically see debt closer to $20,000, suggesting Carroll may be pricier than in-state alternatives without clear evidence of superior outcomes.

The University of Montana, the only Montana school with reported data for this major, shows first-year earnings of $34,377—virtually identical to the estimate used here. That similarity is reassuring but doesn't tell you whether Carroll's smaller classes, different network, or institutional reputation translate into better career placement. You're essentially paying a premium—roughly $6,000 more in debt based on these estimates—without data to justify it.

The practical reality: if your child is drawn to Carroll for reasons beyond the major itself—the campus, the fit, specific faculty—this program won't derail their finances. But if they're choosing between Montana schools primarily for the communications degree, the lack of program-specific outcomes makes it impossible to argue Carroll offers demonstrable value over UM's lower-cost option.