Communication and Media Studies at Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, WA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
28 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
28
Optimistic
28
Base Case
21
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,970/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #483 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 $587K $575K $520K
Earnings Multiple 2.9x 2.8x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 28 28 21

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$203,856
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,480
58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,604
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,869
76% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,970/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 financial case is thin at 2.8x — 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $22,604 represents roughly 8 months of the $33,970 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #483 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Pacific Lutheran University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $59,869 show a 76% jump from the $33,970 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 2,350 students in Tacoma, WA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $85,480 — 58% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Pacific Lutheran 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 Pacific Lutheran 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 Pacific Lutheran University?
A score of 28/100 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 $519,966 in decade earnings vs $586,988 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Pacific Lutheran University a hidden gem for Communication and Media Studies?
After financial aid, the average student pays $85,480 over four years — 58% below the $203,856 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 →