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Communication and Media Studies at DePauw University

Greencastle, IN · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,141/yr (23% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.5x earnings multiple

Ranked #296 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	$594K	$581K	$525K
Earnings Multiple	2.6x	2.5x	2.3x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	36	36	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$228,280

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$98,184

57% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$27,000

7.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$64,923

50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,141 at DePauw University come in 23% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

The financial case is thin at 2.5x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $43,141 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #296 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, DePauw University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $64,923 show a 50% jump from the $43,141 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About DePauw University

A 54% admission rate makes DePauw University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 1,804 students in Greencastle, IN. The average net cost of $98,184 over four years represents a 57% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at DePauw 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 DePauw 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 DePauw University?

A score of 36/100 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 $524,575 in decade earnings vs $594,321 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is DePauw University a hidden gem for Communication and Media Studies?

After financial aid, the average student pays $98,184 over four years — 57% below the $228,280 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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