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Communications · Communication and Media Studies Rank #50 of 613

Communication and Media Studiesat Cornell University

Graduates earn $62,182/yr in their first year — about 77.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $685K; scenarios range from $600K to $714K depending on AI disruption.

Ithaca, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
50 AVERAGE
51
Optimistic
44
Pessimistic
Earnings
$62,182
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.4x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$685K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Cornell University

While the career paths listed are common for this major, they don't capture the full picture of a Cornell degree's power. Your high earnings potential isn't just about studying communication; it's about the university's "halo effect." You'll be competing for roles in management consulting, tech, and finance alongside business majors, because top-tier firms like Deloitte, Google, and J.P. Morgan recruit heavily on campus looking for sharp, articulate thinkers, regardless of major. The powerful Cornell alumni network creates a direct pipeline into these competitive New York City industries. The high AI risk score reflects a threat to routine writing and content creation, but your education is geared toward strategy and leadership. To maximize your advantage, actively pursue internships in high-growth sectors outside of traditional media; your Cornell credential opens those doors.

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
$600K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$685K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score50/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$714K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cornell University'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 Cornell University 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
Ashford University
CA · Private for-profit
47
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
8.2x
ROI
Same state (NY)
CUNY Graduate School and University Center
NY · Public
61
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
19.7x
ROI
Boston College
MA · Private nonprofit
46
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Top score
University of Maryland Global Campus
MD · Public
63
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
21.4x
ROI
Also at Cornell University

Other top programs at Cornell University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cornell University, 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 Cornell University

What does a 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at Cornell University?

At 50/100, Cornell University's Communication and Media Studies program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Communication and Media Studies at Cornell University?

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.

What do students actually pay for Communication and Media Studies at Cornell University?

The 51% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $264,056. At a net cost of $129,348, the earnings multiple improves substantially.