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Communication and Media Studies at Saint Vincent College

Latrobe, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
20 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
20
Optimistic
20
Base Case
16
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,889/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #599 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 $557K $549K $501K
Earnings Multiple 3.4x 3.3x 3.0x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 20 16

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$164,400
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$93,324
43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
12.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,551
99% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,889 place Saint Vincent College below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 3.3x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Communication and Media Studies career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At a 1.0x debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, loan repayment extends well beyond graduation. Financial aid and income-driven plans become important considerations.

A #599 ranking among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs places Saint Vincent College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $25,889-to-$51,551 earnings arc over five years reflects a 99% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About Saint Vincent College

A 59% admission rate makes Saint Vincent College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a smaller institution with 1,264 students in Latrobe, PA. The average net cost of $93,324 over four years represents a 43% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Saint Vincent College →

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 Saint Vincent College

Engineering, General ($64,499) Finance and Financial Management Services ($61,518) Accounting and Related Services ($49,614) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($46,866) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($45,254) Marketing ($44,466) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($44,278) Criminology ($37,563)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 20/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at Saint Vincent College?
At 20/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Communication and Media Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the payoff timeline for a Communication and Media Studies degree from Saint Vincent College?
At $27,000 in median debt, graduates carry 13 months of starting salary in loans. Income-driven repayment plans may be relevant for many borrowers.
Should I worry about AI if I study Communication and Media Studies at Saint Vincent College?
The 55% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Saint Vincent College a good choice for Communication and Media Studies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Saint Vincent College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →