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Communication and Media Studies at Wartburg College

Waverly, IA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,255/yr (15% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.4x earnings multiple

Ranked #448 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	$495K	$495K	$462K
Earnings Multiple	2.4x	2.4x	2.3x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	30	29	22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$204,160

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$90,416

56% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,750

8.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,297

20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,255 at Wartburg College come in 15% 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,750 debt-to-$40,255 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #448 out of 613 programs, Wartburg College's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $40,255 to $48,297 over five years (20% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Wartburg College

Wartburg College accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,446 students in Waverly, IA. The average net cost of $90,416 over four years represents a 56% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Wartburg 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 Wartburg 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 Wartburg College's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 29/100 — 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 Wartburg College after financial aid?

Sticker price is $204,160, but the average net cost is $90,416 — a 56% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.

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