Communication and Media Studies at McDaniel College

McDaniel's Communication and Media Studies program stumbles out of the gate but catches up impressively. That $32,402 first-year salary trails both the Maryland median ($36,880) and national average by roughly $2,500-4,500—putting graduates in the bottom 40% statewide. However, by year four, earnings jump 58% to $51,022, surpassing Maryland's top programs like Loyola and Mount St. Mary's and landing well ahead of the state median.

The $25,000 debt load is manageable, resulting in a 0.77 debt-to-earnings ratio that's reasonable even with the slow start. The real question is what drives that delayed earnings growth. It could reflect the program's career preparation approach, the types of industries graduates enter, or simply that Maryland communication careers reward experience more than credentials. Given McDaniel's 84% admission rate and substantial Pell grant population, the four-year outcome actually looks quite strong.

If your child can weather the initial earning years—perhaps through family support or careful budgeting—this program delivers solid mid-career prospects at a reasonable debt cost. Just understand they'll likely be earning less than peers from UMD or Towson initially, even if they eventually catch up.