Communication and Media Studies at Dillard University

The numbers here are stark: graduates start at just $18,155—about half the national median for communication degrees and barely above the poverty line. Even Louisiana State's program, in the same market, produces graduates earning more than double that figure. With $34,500 in debt, Dillard communication graduates face one of the highest debt burdens nationally while posting earnings in the bottom 10% of Louisiana programs.

The 53% earnings growth to $27,765 by year four sounds impressive until you realize graduates are still earning below Louisiana's median for first-year communication grads. This isn't about a delayed career launch that eventually pays off—the trajectory remains well below what peers at state schools achieve from day one. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes vary widely, but the pattern across percentiles is consistent.

For a family taking on $34,500 in debt, this program represents a significant financial risk. At these earnings levels, even income-driven repayment plans will be difficult to manage. Unless this degree serves as a stepping stone to graduate school or a family has resources to cover costs without loans, the economics don't support this path. Communication careers can be rewarding, but students need to understand they're starting from a substantial financial disadvantage compared to nearby alternatives.