Communication and Media Studies at Fitchburg State University

With first-year earnings of just $30,662, Fitchburg State's Communication and Media Studies program starts behind—ranking in the bottom quarter among both Massachusetts programs and nationally. Graduates here earn about $6,000 less than the typical MA communications graduate initially, and even the state's median of $36,380 sits notably below what schools like Boston University and Emerson deliver. The $25,000 debt load is average, but when your starting salary is below-average, that matters more.

The redeeming factor is momentum: earnings jump 33% by year four, reaching $40,783. That's meaningful growth, though it still leaves graduates trailing peers from stronger programs. At an open-admission state university serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients, this program provides access to a communications degree without crushing debt. The question is whether starting $10,000-15,000 behind graduates from more competitive Massachusetts schools is worth the tradeoff, especially in fields like communications where networks and institutional reputation often matter.

For families prioritizing affordability and a state school option, this works—the debt is manageable and earnings do improve. But if your child can gain admission to more selective programs, the earnings gap suggests they'd be better positioned from day one.