Communication and Media Studies at Simmons University

Boston, MA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
34 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
35
Optimistic
34
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,256/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #342 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 $541K $535K $491K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 2.9x 2.7x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 35 34 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$182,152
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$109,252
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,409
33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $42,256 at Simmons University come in 20% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,250 represents roughly 7 months of the $42,256 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #342 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Simmons University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $42,256 to $56,409 over five years — a 33% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Simmons University

A 66% admission rate makes Simmons University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 1,750 students in Boston, MA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $109,252 — 40% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Simmons 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 Simmons 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 Simmons 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 $491,105 in decade earnings vs $541,036 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →