Communication and Media Studies at Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
17 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
18
Optimistic
17
Base Case
14
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,259/yr (-34% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #607 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

Program Analysis

While the career paths listed are high-paying leadership roles, your initial journey with this degree will likely start closer to home. Olivet’s location in Bourbonnais means many graduates find their first jobs in the local Kankakee County economy or similar Midwest markets, which don't have the large corporate headquarters or major media outlets that drive up salaries. As a faith-based institution, the program also has a strong reputation for placing graduates in mission-driven work at non-profits, churches, and community organizations. These roles can be incredibly fulfilling but typically offer more modest compensation than corporate communication departments in a major hub like Chicago. To boost your earning potential, your key action is to aggressively pursue internships in the Chicago metro area during your junior and senior years to build a professional network outside the immediate region.

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 $515K $512K $475K
Earnings Multiple 3.4x 3.4x 3.1x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 18 17 14

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$151,760
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$86,156
43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
13.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,711
92% growth from Year 1

About Olivet Nazarene University

A 67% admission rate makes Olivet Nazarene University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 2,485 students in Bourbonnais, IL. The average net cost of $86,156 over four years represents a 43% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Olivet Nazarene 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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

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 Olivet Nazarene University?
A score of 17/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Communication and Media Studies at Olivet Nazarene University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $23,259/yr starting salary means roughly 1.2 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $474,562 in decade earnings vs $514,693 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from Olivet Nazarene University?
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 →