Communication and Media Studies at Dickinson State University

Similar programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $35,000 for communication and media studies graduates—a sobering figure when paired with an estimated $24,000 in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 means nearly 70% of a year's salary would go toward debt if aggressively paid down, which stretches thin at this income level.

North Dakota's media landscape offers limited opportunities compared to larger markets, and the University of North Dakota reports nearly identical outcomes at $34,963. This consistency across state programs suggests the challenge isn't specific to Dickinson State but rather the combination of modest communication salaries and rural job markets. The estimated debt load here actually sits slightly below the national median of $25,000, though that small advantage matters less when starting salaries struggle to reach $3,000 monthly before taxes.

For parents considering this investment, the core question is whether their student has concrete plans that justify borrowing. An internship pathway to a specific media outlet, graduate school ambitions requiring this credential, or family connections in broadcasting or PR might change the calculus. Without such anchors, $24,000 borrowed for a communications degree that yields mid-30s earnings leaves little margin for financial missteps in those crucial post-graduation years.