Communication and Media Studiesat St. Francis College
Graduates earn $23,811/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $518K; scenarios range from $479K to $522K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at St. Francis College
While the career paths listed are strong, the low early-career earnings reflect the hyper-competitive New York City media landscape. You'll be graduating into the world's premier market for communications, but also competing with students from giants like NYU and Columbia for the same entry-level roles. Many of these initial jobs, especially in creative fields, are low-paying apprenticeships or freelance gigs at smaller agencies and nonprofits, which don't immediately translate to a high salary. The path to a lucrative management role often requires years of "paying your dues." To stand out, your key advantage will be leveraging the school's smaller size. Proactively build deep relationships with your professors to tap into their specific industry networks and secure multiple, high-quality internships long before your senior year. This hands-on experience is your most valuable currency.
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 St. Francis College'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 St. Francis College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at St. Francis College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at St. Francis College, 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 St. Francis College
What does a 20/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at St. Francis 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 St. Francis College?
At $25,269 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 St. Francis 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 St. Francis College a good choice for Communication and Media Studies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If St. Francis College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.