Communication and Media Studies at Regis College

Similar communication and media programs in Massachusetts typically place graduates at $36,380 in their first year—squarely at the state median and slightly above the national benchmark of $35,000. Against an estimated debt load of $26,000, that translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71, which falls within manageable territory. For context, this means roughly three-quarters of first-year earnings would be needed to pay off the entire debt balance, assuming that were even possible.

The challenge becomes clearer when you look at what other Massachusetts schools achieve. Boston College and the major Boston universities consistently place their communication graduates $10,000-$20,000 higher in starting salary. That gap matters—it's the difference between financial breathing room and years of careful budgeting. Regis's 89% admission rate suggests less selectivity than these competitors, which may explain some of the earnings differential, though peer programs at similar institutions throughout the state cluster around this same $36,000 figure.

The practical question is whether Regis offers something beyond what the estimates capture—strong alumni networks in specific media markets, internship pipelines, or mentorship that could shift outcomes upward. Since these figures are drawn from comparable programs rather than actual Regis graduates, your child's experience could differ. But without school-specific data showing better results, you're essentially betting on the Massachusetts median for this field, which represents modest but stable entry into media careers rather than a fast track to financial security.