Communication and Media Studies at University of South Carolina Beaufort

A $28,017 starting salary paired with $28,500 in debt creates immediate financial strain for graduates of this program. That's nearly $7,000 below South Carolina's median for communication majors and roughly $11,000 behind what graduates earn at nearby College of Charleston. While the debt load itself sits just below state averages, the combination puts this program in the bottom quarter statewide—meaning three-quarters of South Carolina communication programs deliver better earnings outcomes.

The small graduate sample (under 30) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, but the pattern is concerning: first-year earnings barely cover the debt accumulated, leaving little room for living expenses in a field that typically requires building experience through lower-paying entry positions. At 40% Pell eligibility, many students here need financial aid and can't afford a slow earnings start.

For families considering this program, the financial risk outweighs the degree's value given in-state alternatives. USC-Columbia's communication program, for instance, delivers $7,500 more in first-year earnings—a meaningful difference when managing loan payments. Unless your student has compelling reasons to attend USCB specifically (location, unique program features), other South Carolina schools offer substantially better returns on the same credential.