Communication and Media Studies at Ramapo College of New Jersey

Ramapo's communication program starts behind but makes up ground quickly—graduates earn 61% more by year four than they did fresh out of school. That trajectory matters because the initial $31,966 is below both national and state medians, but the four-year mark of $51,394 tells a different story about the program's long-term value.

Within New Jersey, this program performs better than its headline numbers suggest. At the 60th percentile statewide, it outearns the typical New Jersey communication program, even though it trails the state's research university and specialized institutions like Rutgers ($43,649) and Rider ($41,864). The moderate debt load of $23,250 is actually lower than both state and national benchmarks, and the 0.73 debt ratio means graduates owe less than a year's starting salary—manageable if they secure steady employment.

The real question is whether your student can weather those first couple of years when earnings are well below average. Communication is notoriously inconsistent as graduates navigate entry-level positions, freelance work, or career pivots. If your child has a financial cushion or a clear path into a specific media sector, the strong earnings growth makes this a reasonable option among New Jersey's public colleges. Without that cushion, the slow start could be financially stressful despite the eventual rebound.