Communication and Media Studiesat Pepperdine University
Graduates earn $48,398/yr in their first year — about 38.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $582K; scenarios range from $525K to $595K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Pepperdine University
While a communications degree can be a generalist credential elsewhere, at Pepperdine it’s a direct pipeline into the high-stakes Los Angeles media and corporate world. Your impressive earnings outlook isn't just about the curriculum; it's about proximity and reputation. You'll be interning in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and "Silicon Beach," building a powerful professional network before you even graduate. Major entertainment studios, global PR firms, and luxury brands actively recruit here, seeking the polished communication skills the program is known for. This environment selects for and produces graduates who can navigate demanding corporate or agency settings. To maximize this advantage, you must aggressively pursue internships from your first year. Your goal isn't just a diploma, but a resume and a network that make you a valuable commodity in one of the world's most competitive markets.
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 Pepperdine 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 Pepperdine University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Pepperdine University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Pepperdine 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 Pepperdine University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Pepperdine University?
A score of 37/100 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 $525,141 in decade earnings vs $595,223 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.