Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at Mount Saint Mary College

Communications programs in New York show enormous variation in outcomes, with Syracuse grads earning $55,000 while typical programs in the state produce around $39,000 in first-year earnings. Mount Saint Mary College's estimated figures place it squarely in that middle tier—similar programs in New York suggest starting salaries around $39,000, with debt loads near $25,400. By year four, the program's reported earnings of nearly $58,000 indicate solid mid-career growth that significantly outpaces the national median.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 looks manageable compared to many communications programs, where graduates often face higher debt burdens relative to their starting salaries. With estimated debt slightly above the state median but first-year earnings tracking close to typical outcomes, graduates from comparable programs aren't drowning financially—though they're not commanding the premiums that Syracuse or Pace graduates see either. The jump to $58,000 by year four suggests the field rewards experience, which matters when those first few years might feel lean.

The real question is whether Mount Saint Mary's program offers something distinctive that justifies choosing it over SUNY Plattsburgh's similar outcomes at likely lower cost, or whether it provides the networking and reputation boost that makes Syracuse worth its premium. Without program-specific outcome data, you're betting on that institutional fit and regional connections making the difference.