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Communication and Media Studies at Vassar College

Poughkeepsie, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
25 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
25
Optimistic
25
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,270/yr (-34% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 1.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #538 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 $389K $402K $395K
Earnings Multiple 1.4x 1.5x 1.5x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 25 25 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$271,220
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$152,728
44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,750
8.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Vassar College's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $23,270/yr, trailing the $35,147 national average by 34%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The financial case is thin at 1.5x — 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 -2% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $16,750 represents roughly 9 months of the $23,270 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #538 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Vassar College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Vassar College

Admission to Vassar College is competitive, with 18% of applicants accepted, a smaller institution with 2,430 students in Poughkeepsie, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $152,728 over four years — 44% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Vassar College →

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 Vassar College

Computer and Information Sciences, General ($80,037) Economics ($79,845) Mathematics ($52,085) Political Science and Government ($48,679) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($45,599) Neurobiology and Neurosciences ($41,752) Urban Studies/Affairs ($39,410) History ($38,461)

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 Vassar College?
A score of 25/100 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 $395,331 in decade earnings vs $388,552 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from Vassar College?
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 →