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Communication and Media Studies at St. Thomas Aquinas College

Sparkill, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,480/yr (-19% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 4.6x earnings multiple

Ranked #366 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	$717K	$688K	$602K
Earnings Multiple	4.8x	4.6x	4.0x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	33	33	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$150,880

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$85,376

43% less than sticker · See by income

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$71,055

149% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,480 place St. Thomas Aquinas College below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 4.6x return on tuition is positive but not overwhelming. Financial outcomes depend on keeping costs close to in-state rates.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At #366 out of 613 programs, St. Thomas Aquinas College's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $28,480 to $71,055 over five years (149% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About St. Thomas Aquinas College

St. Thomas Aquinas College accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,009 students in Sparkill, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $85,376 over four years — 43% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at St. Thomas Aquinas 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

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at St. Thomas Aquinas College

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does St. Thomas Aquinas College's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 33/100 — 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 are Communication and Media Studies earnings lower at St. Thomas Aquinas College?

Lower starting pay at St. Thomas Aquinas College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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