Communication and Media Studies at Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
39
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,887
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,134
61% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
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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
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 →