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Communication and Media Studies at Merrimack College

North Andover, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
25
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,527/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #534 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 $619K $602K $540K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.9x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 25 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$207,144
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$151,596
27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,783
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,206
107% growth from Year 1

About Merrimack College

With 74% of applicants admitted, Merrimack College prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 4,043 students in North Andover, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Merrimack 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

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 Merrimack College

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($79,659) Civil Engineering ($75,556) Computer Science ($70,256) Mechanical Engineering ($68,615) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($48,018) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($43,323) Biology, General ($41,506) Political Science and Government ($35,619)

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 Merrimack College?
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 $539,929 in decade earnings vs $618,766 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from Merrimack College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →