Communication and Media Studies at Simmons University

Simmons delivers strong outcomes for a communications degree, though Massachusetts families should understand the competitive landscape. First-year graduates earn $42,256—substantially better than the national median of $35,000 and ranking in the 88th percentile nationally. However, among Massachusetts programs, Simmons lands in the 60th percentile, trailing heavyweights like Boston College ($55,162) and Northeastern ($47,465).

The real story here is momentum. Earnings jump 29% to $54,370 by year four, suggesting graduates develop marketable skills that translate to career advancement. The debt load of $26,000 is entirely manageable at 0.62 times first-year salary—graduates can reasonably tackle this while building their careers. For context, this debt level matches both the state and national medians for communications programs, but the earnings premium makes repayment easier.

If your child is comparing Boston-area communications programs, Simmons offers solid value without the sticker shock of elite competitors, and the career trajectory looks promising. The gap with top programs narrows considerably by year four. For students who aren't landing at BC or Northeastern, Simmons represents a sensible middle ground where the degree pays off without crushing debt.