Home Schools Fordham University Communication and Media Studies
Communications · Communication and Media Studies Rank #232 of 613

Communication and Media Studiesat Fordham University

Graduates earn $46,405/yr in their first year — about 32.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $619K; scenarios range from $552K to $638K depending on AI disruption.

Bronx, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
40 AVERAGE
41
Optimistic
32
Pessimistic
Earnings
$46,405
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$619K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Fordham University

Fordham's impressive earning potential isn't just about the diploma; it's about the ecosystem you're entering. Being in New York City places you at the global center of media, advertising, and public relations. Your internships won't be theoretical—they'll be at major networks, world-class agencies, and publishing houses just a subway ride away. This direct pipeline from classroom to industry is a powerful advantage, giving you a professional network and real-world experience before you even graduate. The university's strong liberal arts core also hones the critical thinking and writing skills that are highly valued in strategic communications roles, pushing graduates toward management tracks rather than just entry-level positions.

For a competitive edge, treat your internships as your first real jobs; the connections you build during your semesters in the city will be your most valuable asset upon graduation.

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
$552K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple2.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$619K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$638K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Fordham 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 Fordham 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
Same state (NY)
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
Boston College
MA · Private nonprofit
46
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Also at Fordham University

Other top programs at Fordham University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Fordham 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 Fordham University

How does Fordham University's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Communication and Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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.