Communication and Media Studies at Clark University

Similar Communication and Media Studies programs in Massachusetts suggest Clark graduates start around $36,380—just above the national median but well behind heavy-hitters like Boston College ($55,162) or Northeastern ($47,465). The estimated $26,000 in debt yields a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off loans with about nine months of gross income. By year four, earnings climb to $43,526, which represents solid growth but still lags the state's top programs by $10,000 or more.

The challenge here is visibility. With too few graduates to generate program-specific data, we're working from state averages of 21 similar programs—a blend that includes everything from commuter schools to elite universities. Clark's 42% admission rate and 1339 average SAT suggest it sits in the middle of that range academically, which likely means outcomes closer to the median than the upper tier. The moderate debt load helps, but this field rarely produces breakout early earnings regardless of school prestige.

For families weighing this investment, the question becomes whether Clark's teaching quality and career support justify paying close to state-average tuition for likely state-average outcomes. If your student has stronger options among Massachusetts schools with proven track records above $45,000, those deserve serious consideration. If Clark offers meaningful aid or your student connects strongly with the campus, the debt load won't be crushing—just don't expect media studies to deliver quick financial returns anywhere.