Communication and Media Studies at Lewis-Clark State College

The estimated $24,063 in debt for this communication degree would take about eight months of first-year salary to repay—a manageable burden that aligns closely with what similar programs produce nationwide. Based on peer programs across Idaho, graduates entering the workforce can expect around $35,200 in first-year earnings, which sits right at both the state and national median for this field. This suggests Lewis-Clark State's program likely delivers typical outcomes for communication majors, neither dramatically over- nor underperforming its peers.

What's less encouraging is the field itself. Even top-performing Idaho programs like Boise State only push first-year earnings to around $38,000, and communication degrees broadly show modest earning trajectories compared to more technical majors. The relatively open admission at Lewis-Clark State (90% acceptance rate) means your student would likely get in, but the value proposition rests entirely on whether they're genuinely passionate about communications work and understand they're entering a competitive field where networking and internships matter as much as the degree itself.

The bottom line: if your child is committed to communications and plans to stay in Idaho, these estimated figures suggest a reasonable investment without catastrophic debt. But recognize you're betting on incomplete information—small program size means no one can verify whether Lewis-Clark State's actual graduates match these peer-based projections. Consider visiting campus and asking pointed questions about graduate placement and employer connections.