Communication and Media Studies at The College of Saint Rose

Albany, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
27 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
27
Optimistic
27
Base Case
20
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,146/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.4x earnings multiple
Ranked #502 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 $512K $509K $473K
Earnings Multiple 3.4x 3.4x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 27 27 20

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$149,808
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,276
36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,970
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,275
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,146 track close to the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

An earnings multiple of 3.4x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,970 represents roughly 9 months of the $34,146 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #502 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, The College of Saint Rose falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $34,146 to $49,275 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About The College of Saint Rose

The College of Saint Rose has a 73% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 1,238 students in Albany, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $95,276 over four years — 36% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at The College of Saint Rose →

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 The College of Saint Rose

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 The College of Saint Rose?
A score of 27/100 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 $472,702 in decade earnings vs $511,735 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →