Communication and Media Studies at Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
29
Optimistic
29
Base Case
23
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,322/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
3.0x earnings multiple
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 | $630K | $612K | $547K |
| Earnings Multiple | 3.1x | 3.0x | 2.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 29 | 29 | 23 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$205,720
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,387
99% growth from Year 1
About Saint Mary's College
Saint Mary's College accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 1,399 in Notre Dame, IN. The average net cost of $114,208 over four years represents a 44% discount from published tuition.
See all programs and financial aid at Saint Mary's College →Top Career Paths
Public relations managers
$138,520/yr
Fundraising managers
$123,480/yr
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800/yr
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 Saint Mary's College?
A score of 29/100 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 $547,113 in decade earnings vs $630,205 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →