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Communication and Media Studies at Hobart William Smith Colleges

Geneva, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $50,750/yr (44% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #233 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 $613K $597K $536K
Earnings Multiple 2.4x 2.4x 2.1x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$253,072
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$124,228
51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,500
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,320
39% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Hobart William Smith Colleges's Communication and Media Studies program earn $50,750/yr in their first year — 44% above the $35,147 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

An earnings multiple of 2.4x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,500 debt-to-$50,750 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #233 out of 613 programs, Hobart William Smith Colleges's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $50,750 to $70,320 shows 39% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Hobart William Smith Colleges

With a 57% acceptance rate, Hobart William Smith Colleges is moderately selective, a compact campus enrolling 1,606 students in Geneva, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $124,228 over four years — 51% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Hobart William Smith Colleges →

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

Compare this program → View all 613 schools offering Communication and Media Studies →

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($62,183) Cornell University ($62,182) Ashford University ($58,089) CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($57,782) Boston College ($55,162) University of Maryland Global Campus ($53,513) University of Pennsylvania ($53,022) Villanova University ($52,294)

Other Majors at Hobart William Smith Colleges

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($72,158) Economics ($61,946) Natural Resources Conservation and Research ($43,671) International Relations and National Security Studies ($40,648) Area Studies ($39,939) Psychology, General ($38,117) Political Science and Government ($35,381) Biology, General ($33,163)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Hobart William Smith Colleges's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 40/100 — 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.
How affordable is Communication and Media Studies at Hobart William Smith Colleges after financial aid?
Sticker price is $253,072, but the average net cost is $124,228 — a 51% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →