Communication Disorders at Worcester State University

Worcester, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,142/yr (34% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Large (41,400 openings/yr)
ROI 14.0x earnings multiple (9.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #16 of 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs Top 25%

Program Analysis

Worcester State's Communication Disorders program stands out for its graduates' strong earning potential early in their careers. This isn't just luck; it reflects the robust demand for skilled speech-language pathologists and audiologists in the New England region. The Worcester area, with its numerous hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers like UMass Memorial Health, provides ample clinical opportunities and a clear career pipeline. Many graduates leverage their undergraduate foundation to pursue master's degrees, which are essential for licensure in these high-demand fields. The program likely prepares you exceptionally well for graduate school, allowing you to enter professional roles quickly. You'll find yourself working with diverse populations, from children in school systems to adults in healthcare settings, addressing vital communication needs. Your actionable advice: prioritize gaining varied clinical observation hours and forge strong relationships with faculty; these connections are invaluable for graduate school applications and securing those competitive early-career positions.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication Disorders graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $633K $632K $562K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.0x 14.0x 12.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.1x 9.1x 8.1x
Probability of Field Employment 61% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 45

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 (9.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,952
-31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,564
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,578
80% growth from Year 1

About Worcester State University

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

See all programs and financial aid at Worcester State University →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Speech-language pathologists $95,410/yr
Audiologists $92,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communication Disorders at Other Schools

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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 Disorders at Worcester State University?
A score of 40/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication Disorders. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Communication Disorders careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $561,750 in decade earnings vs $632,887 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Worcester State University's Communication Disorders program stand out?
Ranked #16 of 103 programs nationally, Worcester State 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 →