Communication and Media Studies at Fisher College

Fisher College's Communication and Media Studies program outperforms most competitors despite serving a population where 42% of students receive Pell grants. Starting earnings of $38,510 place graduates in the 69th percentile nationally and 60th percentile among Massachusetts programs—solid outcomes in a notoriously challenging field. The $27,625 debt load translates to a manageable 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio, and that ratio only improves as earnings grow 12% over four years to $43,151.

The gap to elite programs like Boston College ($55,162) or Northeastern ($47,465) is real, but Fisher graduates avoid the crushing debt these schools often require. With an admission rate of 71%, Fisher provides accessible entry to media careers while keeping debt remarkably low—ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden. For families worried about communication degrees leading to financial struggle, this program demonstrates that outcome quality matters more than institutional prestige.

The major caveat: these figures represent fewer than 30 graduates, so individual results could vary significantly. Still, for a family weighing whether a Boston-based communications degree justifies the cost, Fisher's combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings creates a defensible path forward, particularly for students who might struggle to access more selective programs.