Communication and Media Studies at Eckerd College

Eckerd College's Communication and Media Studies program produces earnings slightly below both Florida and national medians, though the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. Starting at $33,544 and climbing to $36,282 after four years, graduates earn about 5% less than typical Florida communication majors and fall in the 40th percentile statewide. That places them well behind stronger Florida options like Florida Gulf Coast ($39,342) or University of Central Florida ($37,021).

The debt picture offers some relief: at $22,500, borrowers owe less than both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67. That's manageable territory, meaning graduates should be able to handle monthly payments on typical income. The 8% earnings growth from year one to year four also suggests graduates gain traction in the job market rather than stagnating.

For families weighing this against other Florida schools, the question becomes whether Eckerd's smaller campus experience justifies the earnings gap. At nearly $8,000 less per year than UCF graduates earn, that's a material difference—roughly $32,000 over four years. Unless your child specifically thrives in Eckerd's intimate liberal arts environment and you're paying minimal tuition through aid, larger Florida public universities appear to offer better communication career preparation at lower cost.