Communication and Media Studies at Nassau Community College

Nassau Community College's communication program graduates start at nearly $30,000—above both the national and New York state medians—but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. Among New York's 22 community colleges offering this program, Nassau ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing only Onondaga and Monroe Community College in first-year earnings. The $11,000 in typical debt sits right at the state median, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38.

The 16% earnings growth over four years is encouraging, bringing graduates to nearly $34,000 by year four. For a two-year degree serving a student body where 36% receive Pell grants, these outcomes suggest reasonable value. However, parents should recognize that communication associate's degrees rarely lead to high-paying careers immediately—this is a stepping stone credential, often paired with a bachelor's degree or used to enter fields like media production, public relations assistance, or corporate communications at entry level.

The limited sample size is the biggest caveat here. With fewer than 30 data points, a few outliers could be driving these above-average results. If your child is considering this program as their terminal degree, have frank conversations about career paths that realistically support $30,000+ earnings with just an associate's degree.