Home Schools Gustavus Adolphus College Communication and Media Studies
Communications · Communication and Media Studies Rank #267 of 613

Communication and Media Studiesat Gustavus Adolphus College

Graduates earn $50,074/yr in their first year — about 42.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $554K; scenarios range from $505K to $563K depending on AI disruption.

Saint Peter, MN Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
38 AT RISK
39
Optimistic
30
Pessimistic
Earnings
$50,074
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$554K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Gustavus Adolphus College

While the career paths listed are common for this major, your earning potential is amplified by Gustavus's specific environment. The program's liberal arts core will train you not just in media production, but in critical thinking and persuasive writing—skills that are highly valued in corporate and nonprofit leadership. The key is the college's strong pipeline into the robust Minneapolis-St. Paul economy. You'll find a fiercely loyal "Gustie" alumni network at major Twin Cities employers like Target, 3M, and Medtronic, creating internship and career opportunities that aren't available to graduates from other regions. To maximize this advantage, your most important move is to secure a junior-year internship in the Twin Cities. This will be your direct bridge from a Saint Peter classroom to a high-paying corporate communications or public affairs 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
$505K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score30/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$554K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$563K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at Gustavus Adolphus College

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Gustavus Adolphus 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 Gustavus Adolphus College

How does Gustavus Adolphus College's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 38/100 — 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.

How affordable is Communication and Media Studies at Gustavus Adolphus College after financial aid?

Sticker price is $217,240, but the average net cost is $107,580 — a 50% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.