Communication and Media Studiesat Northwest Nazarene University
Graduates earn $23,300/yr in their first year — about 34.0% below the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $402K; scenarios range from $395K to $389K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Northwest Nazarene University
While the career paths listed show high national earning potential, your actual starting salary will be shaped by the local Boise-area job market. This region's economy is growing but doesn't have the density of major corporate headquarters or large media outlets found in cities like Seattle or Los Angeles. As a result, many initial communication roles here are in smaller businesses, local government, or non-profits, which offer valuable experience but more modest paychecks. NNU's strong community focus also means many graduates find fulfilling work in ministry, education, or community outreach, which are fields not typically measured by high-income ROI metrics.
To maximize your financial outcome, you should aggressively pursue internships in Boise's burgeoning tech and healthcare sectors, as these industries offer the clearest path to higher-paying corporate communications roles after graduation.
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 Northwest Nazarene 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 Northwest Nazarene University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Northwest Nazarene University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northwest Nazarene 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 Northwest Nazarene University
What does a 20/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at Northwest Nazarene University?
At 20/100, 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 Northwest Nazarene 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.
Is Northwest Nazarene University a good choice for Communication and Media Studies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Northwest Nazarene University's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.