Communication and Media Studies at SUNY Oneonta

SUNY Oneonta's communication program starts low but shows impressive recovery, with earnings jumping 48% to reach $41,376 by year four. That first-year figure of $27,973 ranks in just the 15th percentile nationally—significantly below both the national median ($34,959) and New York's median ($31,881)—but the strong growth trajectory suggests graduates gain traction as they establish themselves in media markets.

Within New York, this program sits squarely at the 40th percentile, placing it in the bottom half of state options but still competitive with many SUNY alternatives. The $23,250 debt load is actually slightly below both state and national medians, and the 0.83 debt-to-earnings ratio means that challenging first year translates to manageable repayment once earnings stabilize. Compare this to top-tier New York programs like Cornell ($62,182) or Fordham ($46,405), and the value gap becomes clear—this is a more affordable entry point, but you're trading early career earning potential.

The real question is whether your child can weather those first few lean years. If they need immediate income or have additional private loans, that sub-$28,000 starting salary will feel tight. But for students who can live frugally or have family support during the launch phase, the mid-career earnings and reasonable debt make this a workable choice—just not an exceptional one among New York's 79 communication programs.