Communication and Media Studies at Florida Southern College

Florida Southern's estimated debt load of $26,000 exceeds what similar Communication and Media Studies programs in the state typically produce—most Florida graduates in this field carry around $21,677. That higher-than-average borrowing becomes particularly relevant when paired with first-year earnings that, based on peer programs statewide, hover around $34,720. You're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75, meaning your child would owe roughly nine months of their first year's salary.

What complicates the picture is that several Florida schools with actual reported outcomes show significantly stronger earning potential. Florida State College at Jacksonville graduates earn $43,508 their first year out, while University of Central Florida grads start at $37,021—both meaningfully higher than what comparable programs across Florida typically produce. Whether Florida Southern's smaller class sizes and residential campus experience justify the additional debt depends heavily on factors these numbers can't capture: internship networks, faculty connections, and career services quality.

The bottom line: at an estimated $26,000 in debt for earnings that match the state median, this program sits squarely in the middle of Florida's communication landscape. It's neither a standout value nor an obvious financial mistake, but the estimated debt burden is higher than you'd want for a field where entry-level salaries typically start in the mid-$30,000s. If your child chooses this path, aggressive debt minimization through scholarships or part-time work becomes especially important.