Communication and Media Studies at Juniata College

Huntingdon, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
20
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,470/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #506 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

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 $617K $601K $539K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.7x 2.4x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$225,608
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$110,652
51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,832
94% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,470 track close to the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Communication and Media Studies's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 10 months of the $32,470 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #506 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Juniata College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $62,832 show a 94% jump from the $32,470 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Juniata College

Juniata College has a 72% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 1,175 students in Huntingdon, PA. The average net cost of $110,652 over four years represents a 51% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Juniata College →

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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Juniata College?
A score of 27/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Communication and Media Studies careers?
With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $538,635 in decade earnings vs $616,708 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Juniata College a hidden gem for Communication and Media Studies?
After financial aid, the average student pays $110,652 over four years — 51% below the $225,608 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →