Communication and Media Studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus

Fairleigh Dickinson's communication program starts slowly but gains momentum—graduates earn $34,772 initially, below the national median, but see their incomes jump 32% to $45,729 by year four. That growth trajectory matters because it suggests graduates are developing marketable skills that employers increasingly value, even if entry-level opportunities in media pay modestly.

Within New Jersey, this program outperforms 60% of comparable options, a meaningful advantage when many state schools produce lower outcomes (the NJ median is just $30,390). You're paying the same debt as the typical communication graduate nationwide—$25,000—but getting better-than-average New Jersey results. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.72 is manageable, though that first year will require careful budgeting as graduates establish themselves.

The real question is whether your child can weather those early years. Communication careers often require building networks and proving yourself before better opportunities emerge. If they can accept modest starting pay while living affordably, the four-year earnings suggest this investment works out. FDU's 95% admission rate means access isn't an obstacle, but the program delivers solid mid-tier results for New Jersey students willing to play the long game in media and communications work.