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Communications · Communication and Media Studies Rank #110 of 613

Communication and Media Studiesat Boston College

Graduates earn $55,162/yr in their first year — about 57.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $651K; scenarios range from $575K to $675K depending on AI disruption.

Chestnut Hill, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
46 AVERAGE
47
Optimistic
38
Pessimistic
Earnings
$55,162
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$651K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Boston College

A Boston College degree in Communication is less about the major itself and more about the power of the BC network. The strong earnings you see aren't just for traditional media roles; they reflect graduates landing in corporate communications, public relations, and marketing at Boston's many tech, finance, and biotech firms. Employers like Fidelity, HubSpot, and Wayfair value the critical thinking and writing skills honed here, but they're also hiring from a trusted talent pipeline. You’ll be competing with peers from the elite Carroll School of Management, which raises the bar for everyone.

Your key move is to use your electives and internships to build a specific industry focus. Don't just be a "communications" major; become the communications expert for the healthcare industry or the go-to marketing mind for tech startups. That specialization is your ticket to leveraging the BC brand for a top-tier career.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$575K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple2.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$651K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$675K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Boston College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Communication and Media Studies graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Public relations managers
+5.0% 10-yr growth · 6,600 openings/yr
$138,520/yr
High
2
Fundraising managers
+4.2% 10-yr growth · 3,600 openings/yr
$123,480/yr
High
3
Communications teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$77,800/yr
Moderate
4
Editors
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 9,800 openings/yr
$75,260/yr
High
5
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
6
Media and communication workers, all other
+2.7% 10-yr growth · 3,000 openings/yr
$71,770/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Communication and Media Studies

How Boston College stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
61
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
14.1x
ROI
Cornell University
NY · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
2.4x
ROI
Ashford University
CA · Private for-profit
47
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
8.2x
ROI
CUNY Graduate School and University Center
NY · Public
61
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
19.7x
ROI
Top score
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
63
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
21.4x
ROI
Also at Boston College

Other top programs at Boston College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Boston College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Communication and Media Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Communication and Media Studies at Boston College

What does a 46/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at Boston College?

At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Communication and Media Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Communication and Media Studies at Boston College?

The 55% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Boston College one of the best schools for Communication and Media Studies?

Among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Boston College's #110 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.