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Communication and Media Studies at Mercyhurst University

Erie, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
25
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $32,729/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #540 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 $526K $521K $481K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.9x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 25 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$178,040
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$109,052
39% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
9.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,801
55% growth from Year 1

About Mercyhurst University

A 83% acceptance rate means Mercyhurst University is accessible to most applicants, a smaller institution with 2,217 students in Erie, PA. The average net cost of $109,052 over four years represents a 39% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Mercyhurst 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

Compare this program → View all 613 schools offering Communication and Media Studies →

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($62,183) Cornell University ($62,182) Ashford University ($58,089) CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($57,782) Boston College ($55,162) University of Maryland Global Campus ($53,513) University of Pennsylvania ($53,022) Villanova University ($52,294)

Other Majors at Mercyhurst University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($64,519) Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations ($52,211) Finance and Financial Management Services ($49,251) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($47,215) Special Education and Teaching ($46,636) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($38,557) Political Science and Government ($34,711) Hospitality Administration/Management ($34,675)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →

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 Mercyhurst University?
A score of 25/100 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 $481,363 in decade earnings vs $525,526 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →