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Communication and Media Studies at University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
48 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
49
Optimistic
48
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $53,022/yr (51% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.6x earnings multiple
Ranked #85 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

While a communications degree can be a gamble, a diploma from Penn’s Annenberg School is a different beast entirely. The impressive earnings you see aren't just about the curriculum; they're a product of the Ivy League network and a powerful recruiting pipeline. You won't just be competing for local jobs in Philadelphia; you'll be on the radar for top-tier consulting firms, major media companies in New York like Condé Nast or NBCUniversal, and strategic communications roles in Washington D.C. These employers hire for critical thinking and prestige, not just a specific skill set. The high AI risk score is real, though. To future-proof your career, your key move should be to double-major or minor in a quantitative field like data analytics or economics, pairing Annenberg’s theoretical rigor with hard, marketable skills.

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 $725K $695K $607K
Earnings Multiple 2.7x 2.6x 2.3x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 48 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,416
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$124,916
53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$87,743
65% growth from Year 1

About University of Pennsylvania

Only 6% of applicants gain admission to University of Pennsylvania, reflecting elite selectivity, with a mid-sized student body of 10,768 in Philadelphia, PA. The average net cost of $124,916 over four years represents a 53% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Pennsylvania →

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) Villanova University ($52,294) Northwestern University ($52,210)

Other Majors at University of Pennsylvania

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($146,204) Statistics ($129,732) Computer Science ($124,678) Finance and Financial Management Services ($122,698) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($104,502) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($93,310) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($91,443) Economics ($89,097)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →

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 University of Pennsylvania?
A score of 48/100 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 $606,732 in decade earnings vs $725,124 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Pennsylvania's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?
Ranked #85 of 613 programs nationally, University of Pennsylvania lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is University of Pennsylvania a hidden gem for Communication and Media Studies?
After financial aid, the average student pays $124,916 over four years — 53% below the $264,416 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →