Communication, Journalism, at Malone University

Malone's communication program starts at a concerning $26,204—well below both the Ohio median ($33,622) and the national average ($34,134). That puts graduates in the bottom 5% nationally for first-year earnings, though they do rank at the 25th percentile within Ohio's small field of four programs. The modest $27,000 debt load creates a barely manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.03, but that's cold comfort when initial earnings are this low.

The dramatic 61% earnings jump to $42,190 by year four offers some hope, lifting graduates above state and national medians. However, this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making it difficult to know if these patterns are reliable or simply statistical noise. For comparison, Ohio State's communication graduates start at $41,040—essentially matching where Malone grads land four years out.

For a parent weighing this program, the risk centers on those first few years. Can your child afford to live on $26,000 while making loan payments? The eventual rebound is encouraging, but building a career on such a low foundation—especially when larger Ohio schools offer immediate earning power—makes this a financially precarious choice unless your child has specific reasons for choosing Malone's smaller environment.