Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication at St. Francis College

First-year earnings around $39,000 with debt just over $25,000 suggests this program tracks right at the middle of what communications graduates typically see—both in New York and nationally. Similar programs across the state produce comparable debt burdens, though actual outcomes at St. Francis could vary significantly given the small graduate cohort that triggered data suppression. The 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in manageable territory, meaning graduates would owe roughly eight months of gross income, which is workable for an entry-level communications position.

What's harder to ignore is the earnings gap. Peer programs in New York show a wide spread, with Syracuse communications graduates earning $55,000 and even SUNY Plattsburgh hitting $40,000—both well above what typical New York programs deliver. St. Francis serves a largely working-class Brooklyn population (47% Pell recipients), and these students need early earnings momentum to make the investment worthwhile. Communications fields reward school networks and internship access heavily, so the school's actual placement strength matters more than statewide averages here.

The fundamentals aren't alarming—debt won't crush your child—but banking on estimated medians feels risky when Syracuse grads start $16,000 ahead. Before committing, pin down where St. Francis graduates actually land: which agencies recruit on campus, what the internship pipeline looks like, and whether alumni connections genuinely open doors in New York's competitive media market.