Communication and Media Studies at St. Francis College

St. Francis College's communication program stands out for one striking feature: graduates who stick it out see their earnings nearly double within four years. That first-year salary of $23,811 looks alarming—it's in the bottom 5% nationally—but by year four, earnings jump to $42,833, surpassing both the national and state medians. This trajectory matters if you can weather those early years.

The challenge is obvious: that initial salary barely covers rent in Brooklyn, let alone student loan payments on $26,125 in debt. While the debt load itself is fairly typical for this field, the combination with rock-bottom starting pay creates real financial pressure. Even among New York's 79 communication programs, this ranks only at the 25th percentile for earnings. Compare that to Manhattan University graduates earning $44,016 right out of the gate, and you see the cost of that slow start.

For families who can provide financial support during those first few years post-graduation, this program offers a path to solid mid-career earnings. But students who need to be financially independent immediately after graduation should recognize they're signing up for a difficult launch period. The nearly half of students here receiving Pell grants may find that timeline particularly challenging without additional family support or careful planning around living expenses.