What type of professional camera to buy?

I'm a college Communications student looking to purchase a new professional camera. I've only worked with a small Canon Powershot point-and-shoot, so I don't know anything about the DSLRs, mm lens, etc. I've only heard that Nikon and Canon usually sell great DSLR/SLRs. I'd also like to keep within a decent price range (under $1, 000). Any suggestions?

"Pro-level" cameras are going to run much higher than your $1000 limit (although I got my D200 for only $600). Anyway… If you can't take a decent pic with a P&S, a DSLR won't help.

A good camera to start with would be the Nikon D3000 or D3100, which are purposed for beginners or people that are new to using DSLRs. They usually run from about $500-600, which is reasonable, and you can easily find them for less on Amazon. You might also look into taking a film photography class, in which you work with SLR camera, because it would teach how to work with f-stop, aperture and ISO.

Spend some time looking at the Nikon D5100 and Canon T3i/600D

They are both within your budget and are the favorites of those who are photo enthusiasts.

Either of them will be good cameras for getting through school, but if you do go pro after school, you will want to have a more robust camera, like the Nikon D7000 or Canon 7D or even the Nikon D4 or Canon D1x which will be available when you graduate.

Looking toward the future, look at the next level up, just over $1, 000 for the body only dSLR's

Here is how the sensors of the Nikon D7000 and Canon 7D perform head to head.

http://www.dxomark.com/...nd2)/Canon

Of all the attributes of dSLR's sensor performance is the most important

Yes, as others have said, start with a beginner's model, like the Nikon D3000.

After you have felt comfortable shooting with the kit lens, you can use the extra $500 and get a good second lens depending on what you found out you like to shoot the most.

I'm a second year photography student at University in England and I would definitely recommend a Nikon! I have used both Canon and Nikon and just love Nikon and will never go back! I'm not sure what the exchange rate is but the Nikon D90 is a very good camera and if it is in your price range would be a great investment. If/when you do buy a DSLR you should definitely take some time out and sit down and read the manual - it may seem very boring but your images will be a thousand times better and will look professional, not like somebody who has been handed a DSLR and clicks a button. As someone has already said, it's not the camera it is the person who takes them. Hope you find the right camera and enjoy it.

Canon, Nikon and Sony all make good quality, reasonably-priced models. I personally own a Sony Alpha and I love it. Also, you may want to stay away from smaller brands, such as Pentax and Olympus. There's a reason they were known for their film cameras, not their digitals. Oftentimes these have grainy displays and cheap lenses, and although these cost less, you may want to get a more expensive camera that will last a long time.
Also, I would recommend going to camera store rather than an electronics store like Best Buy. Most camera stores hire people who actually know their stuff when it comes to photography, so they are usually more interested in finding the best fit for you than trying to sell you something super expensive.

Professional cameras cost over $1000.

Do yourself a favor and get a basic DSLR instead. Save the rest of the money for a good lens.