Communication and Media Studies at Saint Mary's College of California

Saint Mary's Communication program shows a trajectory that matters more than its starting point. Yes, graduates begin at $35,356—below California's median for the program—but four years later they're earning $59,054, a 67% jump that outpaces typical wage growth for communication majors. That's roughly $20,000 more than the typical California comm grad at that stage.

The $23,250 debt load sits comfortably below both national and state averages, creating a manageable starting position even with modest first-year earnings. Within California's 68 programs, this one lands at the 40th percentile for early earnings, meaning it's firmly middle-of-the-pack initially. But the strong mid-career earnings suggest either Saint Mary's network effects kick in, or graduates are successfully pivoting into higher-paying communication roles after establishing themselves.

For anxious parents, here's what matters: your child won't start with impressive earnings, but the debt is reasonable enough to weather that slow launch. If they're willing to be patient and strategic about career development, the four-year numbers suggest this investment pays off. Just don't expect the $62,000 starting salaries that Cal Poly grads see—Saint Mary's value emerges over time, not immediately.