Communication and Media Studies at SUNY Old Westbury

SUNY Old Westbury's Communication and Media Studies program starts slowly but shows strong recovery potential. First-year earnings of $29,256 trail both state and national medians, landing in just the 20th percentile nationally. However, by year four, graduates see a 45% earnings jump to $42,375—closing much of that gap and outpacing typical trajectories for this major. Among New York's 79 programs, this falls right at the state median level, though it can't compete with elite private universities like Cornell or Fordham.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $19,900, graduates borrow about $5,000 less than the typical communication major, both statewide and nationally. The 0.68 debt-to-earnings ratio based on first-year income looks manageable, especially given the strong earnings growth pattern. For a school serving nearly half its students on Pell grants, this combination of lower debt and improving salaries represents solid mobility potential.

The key question is whether your student can weather those first couple of years earning below $30,000. If they need immediate post-graduation income or will carry additional private loans, that initial gap matters. But if they have family support or affordable living arrangements, the trajectory suggests this program delivers decent mid-term value for a SUNY price point—just don't expect the earnings ceiling of New York's elite private institutions.