Business/Corporate Communications at University of New England

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 looks manageable on paper—based on comparable programs nationally, graduates typically earn around $41,500 in their first year while carrying $23,250 in debt. That's roughly half a year's salary, which falls within the traditional "affordable" threshold financial advisors cite. But there's real uncertainty here: with only two schools in Maine offering this degree and limited data on actual outcomes, you're evaluating this program largely in the dark.

What we can say is that the national benchmark suggests business communications graduates enter a middle-income job market, not a high-earning one. At $41,500, you're looking at roughly $3,450 per month before taxes—tight for someone carrying student loan payments, especially in Maine's coastal areas where housing costs run high. The broader concern is whether a specialized communications degree from a school with an 89% admission rate provides meaningful differentiation in the job market, or whether your child could achieve similar outcomes through a general business degree with less debt.

The limited enrollment in this specific program (hence the suppressed data) might reflect either a niche offering or simply low demand. Given the estimation involved and the program's relatively modest earnings potential, this looks like a bet that should only make sense if University of New England offers specific connections, internships, or faculty expertise your child can't access elsewhere—and you should verify those advantages directly before committing.