Communication and Media Studies at Creighton University

Based on comparable programs in Nebraska, Communication and Media Studies graduates typically earn around $40,445 in their first year—positioning this above the national median for the field by roughly $5,500. The estimated $26,000 in debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64, meaning graduates would owe about eight months' salary. That's manageable territory for a bachelor's degree, though not exceptional given the modest salary floor.

What complicates the picture here is that we're working entirely from estimates due to small sample sizes—neither Creighton's specific outcomes nor its debt figures are publicly reported for this program. The comparison with Nebraska's top-performing programs is instructive: UNO and Nebraska Wesleyan graduates report earnings just above $41,000, suggesting the state estimate may be reasonable. However, Creighton's private school status and substantially higher sticker price (only 5% of students receive Pell grants) raises questions about whether actual debt loads could exceed the $26,000 national median used here.

If your child is drawn to media work and Creighton specifically, recognize you're making this decision without program-specific outcomes data. The peer programs suggest viable early earnings, but confirm what financial aid package Creighton actually offers before committing—the difference between estimated and actual debt could significantly alter whether this investment pencils out.