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Communication and Media Studies at Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,712/yr (13% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 13.3x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #133 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 25%

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	$494K	$494K	$462K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.4x	13.3x	12.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.6x	5.6x	5.2x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	45	44	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,016

Out-of-state: $88,880 (5.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$46,052

-24% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,068

6.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$47,998

21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $39,712 per year, Communication and Media Studies graduates from Purdue University Fort Wayne earn slightly above the $35,147 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 13.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,068 debt-to-$39,712 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #133 out of 613 programs, Purdue University Fort Wayne's Communication and Media Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $39,712 to $47,998 shows 21% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Purdue University Fort Wayne

With 86% of applicants admitted, Purdue University Fort Wayne prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 5,450 in Fort Wayne, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University Fort Wayne →

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

Other Majors at Purdue University Fort Wayne

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Purdue University Fort Wayne's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Communication and Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Communication and Media Studies to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Communication and Media Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 55% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does Purdue University Fort Wayne rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?

The #133 ranking out of 613 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →