Communication and Media Studies at Concordia College at Moorhead

Concordia-Moorhead's Communication and Media Studies program outperforms 88% of similar programs nationwide—an impressive national standing that puts it well ahead of the typical communications degree. However, the Minnesota perspective tells a more nuanced story: while this program beats the state median, it ranks 60th percentile among Minnesota schools, with several liberal arts colleges in the state delivering significantly higher earnings (Gustavus Adolphus graduates earn $50,000+, for instance).

The $25,250 debt load is reasonable and manageable at 60% of first-year earnings, meaning graduates could realistically pay it off within 2-3 years on an aggressive plan. That's a solid financial position for a humanities degree. The 4% earnings growth to $44,222 after four years is modest but steady, suggesting decent career stability even if dramatic salary jumps aren't typical for this field.

For a Minnesota family, this comes down to fit and alternatives. If your student is drawn to Concordia's campus culture and liberal arts environment, the outcomes justify the investment—these graduates do well by national standards and aren't buried in debt. But if maximizing communications earnings is the priority, other Minnesota schools deliver $4,000-8,000 more annually. The program works financially; it just isn't Minnesota's earnings leader in this major.