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Communication and Media Studies at Muhlenberg College

Allentown, PA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,950/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.8x earnings multiple

Ranked #507 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	$699K	$672K	$590K
Earnings Multiple	2.9x	2.8x	2.4x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	28	27	22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$240,960

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$121,256

50% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,829

9.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$70,391

135% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $29,950/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

An earnings multiple of 2.8x 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 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,829 debt-to-$29,950 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #507 out of 613 programs, Muhlenberg College's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,950 to $70,391 over five years (135% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Muhlenberg College

A 64% admission rate makes Muhlenberg College accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with a smaller student body of 1,777 in Allentown, PA. The average net cost of $121,256 over four years represents a 50% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Muhlenberg College →

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 Muhlenberg College

Explore the Trade Alternative

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 Muhlenberg College's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 27/100 — 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.

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