Communication and Media Studies at Albright College

Reading, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $31,704/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 5.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #371 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication and Media Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $595K $582K $525K
Earnings Multiple 5.2x 5.1x 4.6x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$115,176
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$86,656
25% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,684
88% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $31,704/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.1x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Communication and Media Studies's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $31,704 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #371 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Albright College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $59,684 show a 88% jump from the $31,704 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Albright College

Albright College accepts 86% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,296 students in Reading, PA. Pell Grant recipients make up 50% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Albright College →

Top Career Paths

Public relations managers $138,520/yr
Fundraising managers $123,480/yr
Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Albright College?
A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Communication and Media Studies careers?
With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $525,038 in decade earnings vs $595,059 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →