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Communication and Media Studies at Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, CT · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,909/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 10.2x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #411 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 $524K $520K $481K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.3x 10.2x 9.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.1x 8.1x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$51,052
Out-of-state: $64,380 (8.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,468
-46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,543
10.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,487
74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $27,909 per year, Communication and Media Studies graduates from Western Connecticut State University earn below the $35,147 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 10.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,543 debt-to-$27,909 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #411 out of 613 programs, Western Connecticut State University's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $27,909 to $48,487 over five years (74% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Western Connecticut State University

With 81% of applicants admitted, Western Connecticut State University prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 3,434 students in Danbury, CT.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Connecticut State University →

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 Western Connecticut State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($86,600) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($77,969) Accounting and Related Services ($58,144) Management Information Systems and Services ($50,443) Finance and Financial Management Services ($46,470) Marketing ($45,967) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($42,454) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($39,696)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Western Connecticut State University's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 31/100 — 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 Western Connecticut State University?
Lower starting pay at Western Connecticut State University 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 →