Communication and Media Studiesat Wake Forest University
Graduates earn $42,055/yr in their first year — about 20.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $632K; scenarios range from $562K to $653K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Wake Forest University
First-year earnings of $42,055 at Wake Forest University come in 20% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.
An earnings multiple of 2.4x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.
AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $22,250 debt-to-$42,055 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
Ranked #285 out of 613 programs, Wake Forest University's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
Earnings growth from $42,055 to $72,756 over five years (73% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.
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 Wake Forest University'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 Wake Forest University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Wake Forest University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Wake Forest University, 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 Wake Forest University
How does Wake Forest University's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 37/100 — 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.
How affordable is Communication and Media Studies at Wake Forest University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $259,032, but the average net cost is $114,984 — a 56% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.