Communication and Media Studiesat George Washington University
Graduates earn $50,552/yr in their first year — about 44.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $590K; scenarios range from $531K to $605K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at George Washington University
That impressive earnings premium isn't an accident; it’s a direct result of your location. Studying communication in Washington, D.C. places you at the epicenter of power, policy, and advocacy. Your classmates won't just be students; they'll be interns on Capitol Hill, at K Street lobbying firms, or for major non-profits and government agencies. This ecosystem creates a powerful recruiting pipeline into high-stakes, high-paying roles in public affairs, political consulting, and corporate relations that simply don't exist in most other cities. You're not just learning theory; you're building a professional network from your first semester. To maximize this advantage, prioritize landing a substantive, year-round internship. Your proximity to these opportunities is your single greatest asset, so use it to gain experience that will make you a top-tier candidate upon graduation.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to George Washington University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Communication and Media Studies
How George Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at George Washington University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at George Washington 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 →Frequently asked about Communication and Media Studies at George Washington University
What does a 39/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at George Washington University?
At 39/100, 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 George Washington 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.