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Communication and Media Studies at SUNY Old Westbury

Old Westbury, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,256/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 14.2x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #397 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 $475K $477K $449K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.2x 14.2x 13.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.5x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,516
Out-of-state: $73,156 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$39,600
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,750
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,918
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $29,256 place SUNY Old Westbury below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 14.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 5% 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.

With first-year pay of $29,256 far exceeding the $13,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #397 ranking among 613 Communication and Media Studies programs places SUNY Old Westbury in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 43% earnings increase from $29,256 to $41,918 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About SUNY Old Westbury

SUNY Old Westbury accepts 85% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 3,945 students in Old Westbury, NY. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at SUNY Old Westbury →

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 SUNY Old Westbury

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($63,463) Information Science/Studies ($56,333) Accounting and Related Services ($52,090) Finance and Financial Management Services ($46,941) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($43,204) Social Sciences, Other ($40,537) Special Education and Teaching ($38,978) Criminology ($38,764)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 32/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Communication and Media Studies at SUNY Old Westbury?
At 32/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Communication and Media Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Communication and Media Studies at SUNY Old Westbury?
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 SUNY Old Westbury a good choice for Communication and Media Studies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If SUNY Old Westbury'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 →