Communication and Media Studies at University of Dubuque

Something unusual happens after graduation from this program: earnings appear to decline from an estimated $40,376 in year one to $35,733 by year four. While the first-year figure comes from comparable Iowa programs and may not reflect this school's actual outcomes, the four-year number—even with a small sample—suggests graduates may struggle to advance in their early careers. That downward trajectory is rare and worth understanding before committing.

The estimated debt load of $26,750 looks manageable at first glance, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66 based on the first-year estimate. But if the year-four earnings figure tells the real story, graduates could be earning less than they did fresh out of college, making even moderate debt harder to service. Communication degrees typically offer flexibility but not always linear salary growth, and this data hints at that challenge. The 40% Pell Grant rate indicates many students here are counting on decent post-graduation returns.

If your child chooses this path, have frank conversations about what specific communication careers they're targeting and whether this program connects students to internships and jobs that lead somewhere. The four-year earnings decline is the red flag here—it suggests either graduates aren't finding their footing professionally or the actual outcomes differ significantly from the state estimates. Press the school for more specific placement data before enrolling.