Communication and Media Studies at Eastern Nazarene College

Similar communication programs across Massachusetts suggest first-year earnings around $36,380—right at the state median and slightly above the national benchmark of $35,000. That's honest but unremarkable territory for a field where outcomes vary dramatically by institution. Boston College grads in this major earn $55,000, while Eastern Nazarene's peer programs cluster closer to the middle of the pack.

The estimated $26,000 in debt translates to a 0.71 ratio to first-year earnings, which falls within manageable territory by federal standards. Monthly loan payments would consume roughly 10% of take-home pay—tight but not crushing for a new graduate. The challenge lies less in the debt load itself than in the field's generally modest starting salaries and the fact that career advancement often requires strategic networking, internships, or additional credentials that can be harder to access from a smaller institution.

For families weighing this investment, the key question isn't whether these estimated figures are sustainable—they are, barely—but whether Eastern Nazarene offers the industry connections, internship pipelines, and portfolio-building opportunities that communication careers increasingly demand. Without strong placement outcomes to examine, parents should press the school for specifics: Where do graduates actually land jobs? What percentage are working in their field within six months? In this major, institutional resources often matter as much as the degree itself.