Radio, Television, and Digital Communication at The New School

Starting at $32,169 puts New School media graduates slightly above both the national and New York state medians, but "slightly above" matters when you're talking about one of the most expensive metro areas in the country. The program ranks in the 60th percentile among New York programs—meaningfully behind powerhouses like RIT ($71,549) and NYU ($47,666), but roughly on par with what most in-state media programs deliver. The debt load of $22,375 is actually below both state and national averages, which helps offset the modest starting salary.

The real question is whether $32,000 can sustain a recent graduate in New York City, where the program is located. That's approximately $2,680 monthly before taxes—tight even with roommates in outer boroughs. The 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio is reasonable by national standards, but it doesn't account for cost-of-living realities. Many New School media graduates may need to supplement with freelance work or take on side jobs while building their careers, which is common in these creative fields but worth factoring into your planning.

This program won't catapult your child into immediate financial comfort, but it also won't saddle them with crushing debt. If they're committed to media work and understand they'll likely need 2-3 years to reach a stable income in this industry, the numbers work. Just ensure they have a plan for managing New York's living costs during those early years.