Communication and Media Studies at The University of Tampa

University of Tampa communication graduates face a rough start—earning $32,804 in year one, which falls below both state and national medians—but the trajectory improves dramatically. By year four, earnings jump to $50,794, a 55% increase that outpaces typical growth in this field. That later-career number beats most Florida programs, though it takes time to get there.

The $26,000 in debt is manageable, slightly above Florida's median for this major but still yielding a reasonable 0.79 debt-to-earnings ratio. The real question is whether your family can weather those first few years when income will be tight. The program ranks around the 40th percentile in Florida, which means roughly 60% of in-state alternatives deliver stronger early earnings—places like Florida State College Jacksonville ($43,508) or University of Central Florida ($37,021) start graduates at significantly higher salaries.

For a selective private school charging private tuition, Tampa produces middle-of-the-pack outcomes in a crowded field. If your child has in-state options at Florida's public universities, those likely offer better value upfront. Tampa might work if the campus experience justifies the initial earnings gap, but parents should plan for financial support during those lean first years after graduation.