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Communication and Media Studies at Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,857/yr (-1% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #128 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 25%

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	$557K	$548K	$501K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.0x	14.8x	13.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.0x	4.9x	4.5x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	46	45	39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$37,144

Out-of-state: $111,412 (4.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$74,720

-101% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,887

6.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$56,134

61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,857/yr, Communication and Media Studies graduates from Western Washington University land near the $35,147 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication and Media Studies programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Communication and Media Studies's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $17,887 represents roughly 6 months of the $34,857 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #128 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $56,134 show a 61% jump from the $34,857 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Western Washington University

With 91% of applicants admitted, Western Washington University prioritizes broad access, serving 13,574 students in Bellingham, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Washington 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

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Western Washington University?

A score of 45/100 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 $500,888 in decade earnings vs $556,611 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Western Washington University's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #128 of 613 programs nationally, Western Washington University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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