Communication and Media Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College

Gustavus Adolphus College commands higher tuition than most Minnesota schools, but the numbers suggest it delivers. At $50,074 right out of college, graduates earn 24% more than the typical Minnesota communications grad and nearly 43% above the national median—placing them in the 95th percentile nationally. That's a meaningful premium for a field that often struggles with early-career earnings.

The 60th percentile ranking within Minnesota is worth understanding: it reflects just how strong the state's communications programs are overall. Gustavus sits comfortably in the upper half, though several Minnesota schools achieve similar outcomes. The $27,000 debt load is manageable with a 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio, and earnings grow to nearly $55,000 by year four. For a liberal arts college with selective admissions (average SAT: 1320), these outcomes align with what you'd hope for.

The value equation here depends on net cost after aid. If your family qualifies for significant financial aid, this is solid. If you're paying close to sticker price, recognize that several Minnesota alternatives—particularly Metropolitan State and Concordia-Saint Paul—achieve nearly identical earnings outcomes, potentially at lower cost. Gustavus offers a strong communications program with above-average earnings, but it's not transformatively better than its in-state competition.