Communication and Media Studies at Lasell University

Newton, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
28
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,379/yr (-14% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 5.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #362 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

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 $610K $594K $534K
Earnings Multiple 5.9x 5.7x 5.1x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$104,000
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$99,776
4% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
10.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,669
100% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,379/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 5.7x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 11 months of the $30,379 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #362 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Lasell University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $60,669 show a 100% jump from the $30,379 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Lasell University

Lasell University accepts 82% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,152 students in Newton, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Lasell 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 Lasell University

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Lasell University?
A score of 33/100 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 $534,138 in decade earnings vs $609,549 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →