Communication and Media Studies at Furman University

Furman's Communication and Media Studies graduates earn $41,766 in their first year—nearly $7,000 above the national median and roughly $7,300 more than the typical South Carolina program. That's a substantial premium for a field often criticized for weak early earnings. The program outperforms all major public universities in the state, including College of Charleston and USC-Columbia, despite Furman's private school price tag. With debt of $22,631, graduates face a manageable 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning they owe about half of their first-year salary.

What's particularly compelling here is the trajectory: earnings jump 36% to nearly $57,000 by year four, suggesting graduates aren't stuck in entry-level positions. While Furman ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, that's somewhat misleading—it's actually beating the highest earners among South Carolina's public programs. The 85th percentile national ranking tells the more accurate story: this is a top-tier communication program by any measure.

The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means individual career outcomes can vary, but the combination of strong starting pay, solid earnings growth, and reasonable debt makes this a defensible choice. For families weighing Furman's cost against public alternatives in South Carolina, the $6,000+ annual earnings advantage accumulates quickly and appears durable over time.