Communication and Media Studies at Lynn University

Lynn University's communication degree comes with $19,500 in debt—a relatively modest load compared to many Florida programs in this field, where the state median sits at $21,677. That's the good news. The challenge lies in the earning potential: first-year salaries from similar Florida programs suggest around $34,720, climbing to $41,955 by year four. While that four-year figure represents solid growth, it still trails what graduates from state schools like Florida State College at Jacksonville or Florida Gulf Coast University reportedly earn.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 means graduates would owe about seven months of their first year's salary—manageable on paper, but tight when you're starting out in media or communications, fields known for competitive entry-level markets. The fact that Lynn's debt load sits at the 85th percentile nationally signals it's higher than most programs across the country, even if it's below the Florida average. Four years out, earnings do improve by about $7,200, suggesting the degree has staying power even if it doesn't command top dollar immediately.

For families weighing this investment, the calculation comes down to whether Lynn's smaller class sizes and private school environment justify paying somewhat more when larger state universities produce graduates earning several thousand dollars more annually. The debt is contained, but so is the earning potential based on peer programs in Florida.