Communication and Media Studies at Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
40
Optimistic
40
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,579/yr (18% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 6.1x earnings multiple
Ranked #226 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 50%

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 $520K $516K $478K
Earnings Multiple 6.2x 6.1x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 40 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$84,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,064
12% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,492
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,765
27% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $41,579 at Lindenwood University come in 18% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 6.1x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,492 represents roughly 7 months of the $41,579 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #226 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Lindenwood University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $41,579 to $52,765 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Lindenwood University

A 66% admission rate makes Lindenwood University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 4,748 students in Saint Charles, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Lindenwood University →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Lindenwood University?
A score of 40/100 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 $477,812 in decade earnings vs $519,872 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →