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Communication and Media Studies at Nebraska Wesleyan University

Lincoln, NE · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,188/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #348 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 $483K $484K $455K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.9x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$166,632
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$92,560
44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,704
7.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,188/yr, edging above the $35,147 national average for Communication and Media Studies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The financial case is thin at 2.9x — 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,704 represents roughly 7 months of the $41,188 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #348 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Nebraska Wesleyan University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Nebraska Wesleyan University

Nebraska Wesleyan University has a 84% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 1,514 students in Lincoln, NE. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $92,560 — 44% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Nebraska Wesleyan 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

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 Nebraska Wesleyan University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($76,333) Accounting and Related Services ($60,923) Business/Commerce, General ($49,372) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($42,988) Social Work ($40,080) Psychology, General ($35,540) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($28,791) Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft ($23,649)

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Nebraska Wesleyan University?
A score of 34/100 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 $454,814 in decade earnings vs $483,257 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →