Journalism at Southeastern University

Borrowing $25,000 to enter a field where similar Florida journalism programs produce first-year earnings around $38,000 creates a manageable but tight financial picture. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 suggests graduates could theoretically pay off loans within a year of gross income, though journalism's modest starting salaries mean this burden will feel substantial on an actual monthly budget.

Peer programs across Florida show considerable variance in outcomes—from Miami's $41,000 to Flagler's $28,000—making it difficult to predict where Southeastern's graduates will land within that range. The estimated $38,000 aligns with the state median and sits slightly above the national figure of $34,500, which provides some reassurance. However, journalism has never been a high-earning field, and the profession continues to contract in traditional media while expanding unpredictably in digital spaces.

The practical question is whether your child is committed enough to journalism to accept years of careful budgeting while building a career. With limited actual data from this specific program, you're making this decision somewhat blind. If they're equally drawn to communications, public relations, or marketing—fields with stronger salary trajectories—those might offer more financial security. But if journalism is the calling, the estimated debt load here won't trap them, even if it will require discipline.