Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at CUNY Brooklyn College

Brooklyn College's Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program shows a troubling start that improves significantly—but the initial earnings create real financial pressure. Graduates earn just $22,947 in their first year, ranking in the 5th percentile nationally and 25th in New York state. That's barely above poverty level, even with the program's relatively modest $13,820 debt load.

The story gets more complicated over time. By year four, earnings jump 80% to $41,211—a dramatic improvement that narrows the gap with both the national median ($29,976) and NY median ($29,400). This suggests graduates may be starting in unpaid internships or very low-paying entry positions before breaking into better roles. However, that first year matters tremendously when you're managing debt payments and living expenses in Brooklyn.

The debt itself is lower than average, which offers some cushion, but the real concern is what happens during those lean early years. Can your child afford to live at home initially? Do they have family support to weather $23,000-a-year jobs in one of America's most expensive cities? If the answer is no, this becomes a much riskier proposition despite the eventual earnings growth. Students who need to be financially independent immediately after graduation should look carefully at programs where first-year earnings start closer to $40,000.