Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at Rider University

Rider's communication program puts graduates in a difficult financial position right out of school. That $16,690 first-year earning figure—ranking in just the 10th percentile among New Jersey communication programs—means many graduates will struggle to make loan payments on $27,000 in debt. While Seton Hall's similar program produces graduates earning $38,000, and even Montclair State hits the state median of $29,600, Rider's outcomes lag considerably behind in-state alternatives.

The 184% earnings jump by year four shows graduates eventually find their footing, reaching $47,441. However, those first few years matter enormously when you're carrying debt that exceeds your annual income by 62%. The low debt-to-earnings ratio reflects below-average borrowing combined with well-below-average starting salaries—not an affordability advantage. For a field where internships, portfolio work, and early career connections often determine long-term success, starting this far behind peers at other New Jersey schools creates unnecessary obstacles.

If your child is set on this program at Rider, you'll want a plan for those difficult first years—perhaps living at home, having a side income source, or pursuing income-driven repayment. But honestly, Montclair State offers essentially the same debt load with double the starting salary. That difference isn't marginal; it fundamentally changes what's financially possible after graduation.