Communication and Media Studies at Saint Leo University

A $26,000 debt load against first-year earnings around $34,700—typical for Florida's communication programs—creates a manageable but tight financial picture. Based on comparable programs across the state, graduates would dedicate roughly three-quarters of their first year's salary to clearing this debt, which sits just above the Florida median of $21,677 for this field. That difference of several thousand dollars matters when you're starting a career in an industry not known for generous entry-level pay.

The estimated earnings align almost exactly with both state and national medians for communication and media studies, suggesting Saint Leo's program produces outcomes in line with peers. However, several Florida schools with reported data show substantially higher results—Florida State College at Jacksonville and DeVry's Florida campus both report graduates earning over $43,000, while even larger public universities like UCF and UNF clear $36,000. Without actual outcome data for Saint Leo specifically, it's difficult to know whether this program performs at, above, or below that state average.

For families weighing this investment, the core question is whether $26,000 in debt makes sense for a field where mid-$30,000 salaries are standard. If your child has stronger offers from programs with reported outcomes showing better earnings, those merit serious consideration. The estimates here suggest a workable but unremarkable financial return—fine if the fit is right, but probably not worth stretching your budget to attend.