Communication and Media Studiesat Northeastern University
Graduates earn $47,465/yr in their first year — about 35.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $648K; scenarios range from $573K to $671K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Northeastern University
While a Communication degree can have varied outcomes, your earning potential from Northeastern is supercharged by two key factors: the co-op program and the Boston market. You won't just learn theory; you'll spend multiple semesters working full-time at major companies, PR firms, or nonprofits, building a professional resume before you even graduate. This direct pipeline to employment is why graduates command higher starting salaries. Boston itself is a hub for tech, healthcare, and finance—industries that all need skilled storytellers, marketers, and corporate communicators. The high AI risk score reflects the automation of routine writing, but your focus will be on strategy and management. To maximize your investment, treat every co-op as a six-month job interview, actively networking and seeking out roles that build skills in strategic planning, not just content creation.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Northeastern University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Communication and Media Studies
How Northeastern University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Northeastern University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northeastern University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Communication and Media Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Communication and Media Studies at Northeastern University
What does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at Northeastern University?
At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Communication and Media Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Communication and Media Studies at Northeastern University?
The 55% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.