Communication and Media Studies at Caldwell University

Caldwell, NJ · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
16 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
16
Optimistic
16
Base Case
13
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,371/yr (-36% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #609 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

Program Analysis

While the career paths listed are lucrative, they represent mid-to-late career goals, not entry-level positions. At a small, regional university like Caldwell, you'll be competing for internships and first jobs in the hyper-competitive New York City media market against graduates from national powerhouses like NYU and Columbia. Those schools have deeply embedded recruiting pipelines that Caldwell lacks, making it difficult to land the high-paying corporate communications or agency roles right after graduation. Many graduates likely find themselves in lower-paid administrative, non-profit, or local media roles to start. To overcome this, your key advantage will be hands-on experience; you must aggressively pursue multiple internships throughout your four years, building a professional portfolio and network that can command attention in a crowded field.

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 $500K $499K $466K
Earnings Multiple 3.2x 3.2x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 16 16 13

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$157,800
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$84,752
46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
13.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,408
90% growth from Year 1

About Caldwell University

Caldwell University accepts 65% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with a smaller student body of 1,437 in Caldwell, NJ. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $84,752 — 46% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Caldwell University →

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

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Caldwell University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Caldwell University's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 16/100 — on the lower end for Communication and Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Caldwell University Communication and Media Studies graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.2x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
How vulnerable is Communication and Media Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication and Media Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 55% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Communication and Media Studies earnings lower at Caldwell University?
Lower starting pay at Caldwell University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →