Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University's media program starts rough but shows promise: graduates earn just $24,578 in their first year—landing in the bottom 10th percentile among Arizona media programs and well below the state median of $36,000. That's a significant gap when you're carrying nearly $26,000 in debt. However, by year four, earnings jump 56% to $38,276, actually surpassing both the state and national medians.

The catch is that first year. With debt exceeding first-year income, graduates will likely need parental support or a second job while they build their careers. Arizona State's comparable programs place graduates at $36,000 from day one, offering more immediate financial stability. NAU's lower admission standards (91% acceptance) may partly explain why their graduates start behind—they're admitting students who might struggle to land competitive media positions right away.

If your child is self-motivated and willing to grind through a financially tight first few years, the trajectory here improves considerably. But parents should be realistic about providing support during that initial period. For families who can't subsidize those early years, or students who need immediate earning power, ASU's programs offer a safer bet despite potentially similar total debt loads.