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Communication and Media Studies at Worcester State University

Worcester, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,235/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 11.8x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #204 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 50%

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	$540K	$534K	$491K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.0x	11.8x	10.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.8x	7.7x	7.1x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	41	41	34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$45,144

Out-of-state: $69,464 (7.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,952

-31% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,149

7.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$53,556

56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $34,235/yr, Communication and Media Studies graduates from Worcester State University land near the $35,147 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.8x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $20,149 represents roughly 7 months of the $34,235 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #204 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Worcester State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $53,556 show a 56% jump from the $34,235 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Worcester State University

With 90% of applicants admitted, Worcester State University prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 3,963 in Worcester, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Worcester 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

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Worcester State University

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 Worcester State University?

A score of 41/100 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 $490,689 in decade earnings vs $540,374 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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