Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degree) at Florida Institute of Technology

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$34,720

Est. from FL median (17 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$26,000

Est. from FL median (7 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 sounds manageable on paper, but the numbers behind it tell a harder story. Similar communications programs in Florida suggest first-year earnings around $34,700—barely above the national median—while debt at this private institution appears to track at $26,000, slightly higher than Florida's typical $21,677 for the major. For a school charging private university tuition, these are public university outcomes.

The gap with Florida's stronger programs is significant. DeVry grads in this field earn $47,600 their first year out, while even mid-tier state schools like UCF and UNF push graduates past $37,000. Florida Institute of Technology is known for its STEM programs, not communications, and that shows in the results. Your child would be paying premium prices to attend a school where this particular program doesn't appear to be a strength, based on what peer institutions demonstrate is possible in the same market.

Unless your child has specific reasons to be at Florida Tech—perhaps they're double-majoring with engineering or another strong program there—this looks like an expensive path to modest communications outcomes. State universities in Florida are producing better results in this field at lower cost.

Where Florida Institute of Technology Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all communication and media studies bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Communication and Media Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Florida (36 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourne	$44,360	$34,720*	—	$26,000*	—
DeVry University-FloridaOrlando	$17,488	$47,622*	$47,238	$56,858*	1.19
Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville	$2,878	$43,508*	—	—*	—
Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort Myers	$6,118	$39,342*	$45,772	$19,258*	0.49
University of Central FloridaOrlando	$6,368	$37,021*	$38,915	$21,854*	0.59
University of North FloridaJacksonville	$6,389	$36,842*	$44,654	$17,345*	0.47
National Median	—	$34,959*	—	$25,000*	0.72

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with communication and media studies graduates

Public Relations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities designed to create or maintain a favorable public image or raise issue awareness for their organization or client.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraising Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

$132,870/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in communications, such as organizational communications, public relations, radio/television broadcasting, and journalism. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Editors

Plan, coordinate, revise, or edit written material. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication.

$75,260/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Writers and Authors

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

Create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance.

$72,270/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Public Relations Specialists

Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

$69,780/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Fundraisers

Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.

$66,490/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

Narrate or write news stories, reviews, or commentary for print, broadcast, or other communications media such as newspapers, magazines, radio, or television. May collect and analyze information through interview, investigation, or observation.

$60,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys

Speak or read from scripted materials, such as news reports or commercial messages, on radio, television, or other communications media. May play and queue music, announce artist or title of performance, identify station, or interview guests.

Jobs growth:

Media and Communication Workers, All Other

All media and communication workers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Florida Institute of Technology, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 17 similar programs in FL. Actual outcomes may vary.