Communication and Media Studies at Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
37
Optimistic
36
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings
$39,321/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
3.3x earnings multiple
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 | $593K | $580K | $524K |
| Earnings Multiple | 3.4x | 3.3x | 3.0x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 37 | 36 | 29 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$175,720
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,267
61% growth from Year 1
About Wheaton College
A 90% acceptance rate means Wheaton College is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 2,087 students in Wheaton, IL. The average net cost of $107,936 over four years represents a 39% discount from published tuition.
See all programs and financial aid at Wheaton College →Top Career Paths
Public relations managers
$138,520/yr
Fundraising managers
$123,480/yr
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools
Other Majors at Wheaton College
Consider the Trade Route?
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 Wheaton College's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 36/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →