Communication and Media Studies at Saint Xavier University

Saint Xavier's Communication and Media Studies program starts slow but gains momentum—graduates earn just $32,169 in year one (below both state and national medians) but jump to $48,379 by year four, a 50% increase that outpaces most communication programs. That trajectory matters: while you're behind Illinois peers like Northwestern ($52,210) and DePaul initially, the gap narrows considerably as graduates establish themselves. At 40th percentile within Illinois, this isn't a top-tier outcome, but it's solidly middle-of-the-pack for a school serving a largely first-generation student population (56% receive Pell grants).

The debt picture is manageable at $26,311—slightly above the Illinois median but right in line with national averages for this major. The 0.82 debt-to-earnings ratio based on first-year income looks concerning at first glance, but that year-four earning power changes the math significantly. Graduates who stick with communications careers appear to find their footing after those initial lean years, though they'll need patience and likely supplemental income or financial support during that startup period.

If your child is considering this program, the real question is whether they can weather those early years earning in the low $30,000s in Chicago, where cost of living isn't trivial. Those who do see meaningful earnings growth, but families shouldn't expect the immediate ROI that nursing or business programs might deliver.