Communication and Media Studies at Concordia University-Saint Paul

In Minnesota's crowded communications field, Concordia-Saint Paul's graduates earn $46,327 in their first year—placing them firmly in the middle of the pack among the state's 29 programs. While this beats the national median for communications majors by over $11,000, it sits right at Minnesota's own median, suggesting the program delivers on par with state expectations rather than standing out. The estimated debt of $27,000, based on similar programs at the school, produces a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio that's better than many communications programs nationally.

The catch is that we're working with estimated debt figures here since the school's graduate sample was too small for the Department of Education to publish actual outcomes. What we know for certain is that first-year earnings are solidly middle-tier for Minnesota communications graduates—comparable to Metropolitan State and St. Catherine, though trailing schools like Gustavus Adolphus by several thousand dollars. Communications degrees are notoriously variable in outcomes depending on the specific role graduates land, and this program appears to produce typical results for the state.

For families considering this investment, the key question is whether mid-tier Minnesota outcomes justify the cost when peer programs deliver similar results. The estimated debt load seems reasonable if it holds true, but prospective students should confirm actual financial aid packages and consider that their first-year salary will likely hover around $46,000—enough to service the debt, but not enough for dramatic financial flexibility immediately after graduation.