Communication and Media Studies at Clarkson University

Clarkson's Communication and Media Studies program punches above its weight, with graduates earning $41,745 in their first year—placing them well ahead of both the national median ($34,959) and New York's typical outcomes ($31,881) for this major. Based on comparable programs in New York, students likely graduate with around $26,000 in debt, translating to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62. That's better than most liberal arts programs and suggests graduates can handle their loan payments without undue strain.

What should concern you is the complete absence of earnings growth: graduates actually earn slightly less four years out ($41,482) than they do in year one. While Communication and Media Studies programs often require patience as graduates build portfolios and networks, flat earnings suggest limited career progression or a concentration in entry-level positions. This pattern stands in stark contrast to STEM or business programs where year-four earnings typically exceed year-one figures by 20-40%.

The practical calculation here is whether your child values Clarkson's engineering-school environment and upstate location enough to accept plateaued earnings. They'll start ahead of most communication graduates nationwide but may need to be proactive about career advancement to justify the investment. The initial debt load is reasonable, but without earnings growth, there's little room for financial missteps in those crucial early career years.