Home › Pacific University › Communication and Media Studies

Communication and Media Studies at Pacific University

Forest Grove, OR · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
20
Optimistic
20
Base Case
17
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,879/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 1.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #597 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 $392K $405K $397K
Earnings Multiple 1.8x 1.9x 1.8x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 20 17

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$217,864
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$141,400
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,000
13.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,879 place Pacific University below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The financial case is thin at 1.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

Some AI exposure exists in Communication and Media Studies's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a -1% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,000 against $23,879/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #597 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Pacific University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Pacific University

Pacific University accepts 92% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,556 students in Forest Grove, OR. The average net cost of $141,400 over four years represents a 35% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Pacific 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 Pacific University

Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($76,060) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($44,435) Psychology, General ($34,930) Biology, General ($34,612) Education, General ($34,067) Public Health ($30,412) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($26,219)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Pacific University?
A score of 20/100 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 Pacific University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $26,000 against $23,879/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 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 $397,351 in decade earnings vs $391,769 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from Pacific 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 →