Communication and Media Studies at University of St Thomas

University of St Thomas's communication program produces graduates earning nearly $11,000 more than the typical communications major nationally—a substantial premium that places it in the 95th percentile. However, the Minnesota context tells a different story: those $45,100 first-year earnings sit squarely in the middle of the pack among state programs, trailing four other Minnesota schools. This suggests the strong national showing reflects Minnesota's overall strength in this field rather than St Thomas offering exceptional value compared to local alternatives.

The $27,000 debt load is reasonable but not particularly low, creating a 0.60 debt-to-earnings ratio that's manageable though unremarkable. A communications graduate here could feasibly pay off their loans within a few years while building their career. The 85% admission rate indicates this isn't a highly selective program, yet outcomes remain solid—the university's Twin Cities location likely provides networking and internship advantages that translate to decent starting salaries.

For Minnesota families, the question becomes whether St Thomas justifies its private school tuition when Gustavus Adolphus, Concordia-St Paul, and Metropolitan State all deliver higher first-year earnings in the same field. Unless your student has specific reasons to choose St Thomas—particular faculty, campus culture, or programs—you might achieve better returns at these competitors. The outcomes here are perfectly acceptable, just not exceptional enough to clearly justify premium pricing.