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Communication and Media Studies at Purdue University Northwest

Hammond, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,541/yr (-27% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 15.0x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #407 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	$508K	$506K	$470K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.1x	15.0x	14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.1x	8.1x	7.5x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	32	32	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$33,676

Out-of-state: $62,480 (8.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$33,852

-1% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

11.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$45,137

77% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $25,541/yr fall 27% below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication and Media Studies programs nationally.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 12 months of the $25,541 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #407 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Purdue University Northwest falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $45,137 show a 77% jump from the $25,541 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Purdue University Northwest

Purdue University Northwest has a 71% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 5,786 in Hammond, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University Northwest →

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 Purdue University Northwest

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Purdue University Northwest?

A score of 32/100 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 $470,459 in decade earnings vs $508,163 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from Purdue University Northwest?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.

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