Communication and Media Studies at Southeastern University

Southeastern University's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at just under $28,000—about $7,000 below Florida's median for this major and nearly $7,000 below the national benchmark. Among Florida's 36 programs, this ranks in the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable state programs deliver higher first-year earnings. For context, Florida State College at Jacksonville graduates earn 55% more in their first year, while nearby Florida Gulf Coast produces outcomes 41% higher.

The $21,500 debt load sits slightly below average, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.77. While that's technically manageable, the real concern is the starting salary itself—$28,000 leaves limited room for both loan payments and basic living expenses in Florida's increasingly expensive market. At these earnings levels, a graduate would need nearly nine months of gross income to cover their debt, and that's before taxes or living costs.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty—outcomes could improve with more data, or these numbers might represent the program accurately. For an anxious parent, the question is whether paying for a private university makes sense when multiple Florida public universities deliver substantially better earnings outcomes in this field. Unless your child has compelling reasons to choose Southeastern specifically, Florida's public options offer better returns on the same degree.