Communication and Media Studies at Nazareth University

Nazareth's communication program starts rough but shows surprising staying power. That $28,341 first-year salary—landing in just the 16th percentile nationally—will test any parent's confidence. But the 65% earnings jump to nearly $47,000 by year four suggests graduates find their footing after initial struggles, likely moving from entry-level roles into more stable media or corporate communication positions.

The state context matters here: while this program underperforms the national median by $6,600, it sits right at the middle of New York's competitive market (40th percentile). That's significant given the state's concentration of media companies and higher cost of living. The $26,000 debt load is manageable and tracks with both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0 that clears within a year's salary.

However, treat these numbers cautiously—the small sample size means one graduate's career trajectory could swing the averages dramatically. If your child is determined to pursue media work, this program won't leave them drowning in debt, but they should expect a lean first year or two while building experience. The real question is whether they can stomach starting salaries well below what peers at Cornell or Fordham command, even if the gap narrows over time.