Communication and Media Studies at Colby-Sawyer College

A bachelor's in Communication and Media Studies at Colby-Sawyer carries an estimated $26,000 in debt—right in line with national norms for this field—but the earnings picture requires looking at peer programs for guidance. Similar communication programs in New Hampshire suggest first-year earnings around $39,000, which would place this program near the 75th percentile nationally for the major. That's a better-than-typical outcome for a field where many graduates start around $35,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 falls within manageable territory, meaning graduates would owe roughly two-thirds of their first-year salary.

The challenge is that New Hampshire's communication programs show considerable variation in outcomes. The top performers—Saint Anselm and UNH—report graduates earning around $44,000, while others like Plymouth State come in closer to $31,000. Without actual data from Colby-Sawyer's own graduates, it's unclear where this program truly lands within that range. The school's 90% admission rate and relatively low Pell enrollment suggest a traditional private college experience, but that doesn't necessarily translate to superior career outcomes in this field.

For families willing to invest at this level, the estimated figures suggest a reasonable financial picture if the $39,000 earnings projection holds true. However, given the uncertainty and the wide range of outcomes among New Hampshire communication programs, you'll want concrete information about job placement rates and where recent graduates actually land before committing to this path.