Business/Corporate Communications at National University

Based on comparable programs nationally, a business communications degree from National University would carry an estimated $23,250 in debt—manageable at 60% of first-year earnings, but those starting earnings of $38,696 lag behind both the national median ($41,494) and most California competitors. Point Loma Nazarene and Chapman graduates start around $40,000-$42,000, suggesting National's below-market positioning isn't just statistical noise.

The earnings trajectory tells a more complicated story. By year four, median earnings jump to $69,428—a 79% increase that substantially outpaces typical growth patterns in this field. This suggests graduates either develop highly marketable skills over time or successfully transition into higher-paying roles, possibly leveraging National's adult-learner focus and flexible scheduling to advance while working. The question is whether your child can afford those lean early years while waiting for the payoff.

For families considering this program, the trade-off is clear: accept below-average starting pay in exchange for potentially strong mid-career growth, with debt that won't cripple you either way. If your child needs immediate earning power after graduation or can't supplement income during those first years, the stronger starting salaries at Point Loma or Chapman might justify their likely higher costs. But if they're already working and can ride out the initial earnings dip, National's trajectory becomes more defensible—assuming that four-year growth holds for individual graduates and isn't driven by the school's unique student demographics.