Communication and Media Studies at Saint Edward's University

Saint Edward's communication graduates face a rough start at just $31,117 annually, trailing both the national median ($34,959) and Texas average ($33,906) for this field. Among the 64 Texas schools offering this program, Saint Edward's ranks at the 40th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack in a state where UT Austin and several other institutions produce graduates earning $43,000+ right out of the gate. The $25,000 debt load equals the national median, creating a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80 that makes those initial months financially tight.

The encouraging news is the 48% earnings jump to $46,185 by year four, which actually surpasses what most Texas communication programs achieve early on. This growth pattern suggests the degree opens doors that take time to walk through—perhaps in Austin's competitive media and tech sectors where entry-level roles evolve into better-paid positions. However, even after four years, graduates still haven't quite caught up to what top Texas programs deliver immediately.

For families considering this $25,000 investment, the calculation hinges on whether your student can weather those lean first years in an expensive city like Austin. The eventual payoff is real, but requires patience and likely supplemental income or family support during the early career phase. If immediate earnings matter—say, to start paying loans right away—stronger-performing Texas programs might justify the search.