Communication and Media Studies at King's College

King's College communication graduates start at $29,798—well below both Pennsylvania's $32,386 median and the national average of $34,959. While earnings climb 39% to reach $41,446 by year four, that initial struggle matters when you're carrying $27,000 in debt. First-year graduates face a debt burden nearly equal to their entire annual salary, making those early years financially tight even as long-term prospects improve.

Within Pennsylvania, this program sits at the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten state programs deliver better outcomes. Compare King's numbers to nearby Messiah University ($45,021) or even mid-tier options like Saint Joseph's ($38,024), and the gap becomes clear. The relatively modest debt level offers some protection—it matches both state and national medians—but lower earnings mean the same debt feels heavier here than at better-performing programs.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty to these figures, so they may not represent every student's experience. Still, for families weighing a $27,000 investment in a communications degree, King's delivers below-average returns compared to other Pennsylvania options. If your student is set on this field, exploring programs that place closer to state medians would likely mean an easier financial start to their career.