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Communication and Media Studies at Longwood University

Farmville, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,062/yr (3% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 8.9x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #238 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	$546K	$539K	$494K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.0x	8.9x	8.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.0x	4.9x	4.5x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	40	40	33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$60,800

Out-of-state: $109,640 (4.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$83,256

-37% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,000

8.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,140

53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $36,062/yr, Communication and Media Studies graduates from Longwood University land near the $35,147 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.9x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 represents roughly 9 months of the $36,062 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #238 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Longwood University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $55,140 show a 53% jump from the $36,062 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Longwood University

With 85% of applicants admitted, Longwood University prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 2,957 students in Farmville, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Longwood 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

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Longwood University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Longwood 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 $494,398 in decade earnings vs $546,278 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →