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Communication & Journalism at West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $38,660/yr (12% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)

Job Market Medium (25,900 openings/yr)

ROI 15.8x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #1 of 16 Communication & Journalism programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication & Journalism graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$630K	$608K	$535K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.3x	15.8x	13.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.8x	5.6x	4.9x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	39%	26%
DegreeOutlook Score	50	49	38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,592

Out-of-state: $109,440 (5.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,988

-35% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,478

7.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$68,006

76% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,660/yr, edging above the $34,532 national average for Communication & Journalism — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 15.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 65% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,478 debt-to-$38,660 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #1 ranking out of 16 Communication & Journalism programs nationally puts West Virginia University in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth from $38,660 to $68,006 over five years (76% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About West Virginia University

West Virginia University has a 86% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 17,705 in Morgantown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia University →

Top Career Paths

Communications teachers, postsecondary $77,800/yr

Editors $75,260/yr

Writers and authors $72,270/yr

View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communication & Journalism at Other Schools

Other Majors at West Virginia University

Explore the Trade Alternative

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

How does West Virginia University's Communication & Journalism program score?

This program scores 49/100 — on the lower end for Communication & Journalism. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Communication & Journalism to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Communication & Journalism careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 65% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

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