Communication and Media Studies at Manhattanville University

That $27,488 starting salary—well below both state and national medians—is genuinely concerning, even with the impressive 94% earnings jump by year four. While Manhattanville's Communication grads reach $53,252 within four years, that initial period represents significant financial strain, particularly when carrying $25,729 in debt. The year-one debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.94 means your child would owe nearly a full year's salary right out of the gate, making those first few years quite tight financially.

The state context matters here: this program sits at just the 40th percentile among New York communication programs, meaning six out of ten comparable programs in the state deliver better starting outcomes. Look at the gap—Cornell grads start at $62,182, and even Manhattan University produces $44,016 starters. That's not a fair apples-to-apples comparison given admission selectivity, but it shows what's possible within New York's communication market. The eventual four-year earnings of $53,252 are respectable, but the runway to get there is long.

If your child can secure strong internships or family support to offset that difficult first year, the trajectory improves significantly. But banking on doubling your salary within four years is optimistic planning. For a high-acceptance institution serving a notable population of Pell grant students, these outcomes suggest many graduates struggle initially in New York's expensive media market.