Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University

Among New York's 79 communication programs, Fordham stands out sharply. Starting salaries here ($46,405) beat the state median by 45% and rank in the 80th percentile—meaningful given that most students attend in-state schools. Nationally, this program sits in the 95th percentile, trailing only a handful of elite programs like Cornell and Northwestern. The $25,700 debt load is typical for the field, creating a 0.55 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable from day one.

What makes this particularly strong is the earnings trajectory: graduates see 34% income growth by year four, reaching $62,162. That's not just keeping pace with inflation—it suggests graduates are moving into mid-level media, corporate communications, or marketing roles rather than staying in entry-level positions. The sample size here is robust (100+ graduates), so these aren't fluky numbers from a small cohort.

The premium you're paying for Fordham's brand and New York media connections appears justified by the outcomes. While communication degrees often leave graduates scrambling, this program delivers earnings that actually compete with more "practical" majors. If your child is serious about media or corporate communications, Fordham's placement power in the New York market makes this one of the safer bets in a notoriously hit-or-miss field.