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Communication and Media Studies at Whitworth University

Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,305/yr (12% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 2.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #377 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 $473K $476K $449K
Earnings Multiple 2.3x 2.3x 2.2x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$203,680
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$103,536
49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $39,305/yr, edging above the $35,147 national average for Communication and Media Studies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 2.3x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$39,305 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #377 out of 613 programs, Whitworth University's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Whitworth University

Whitworth University has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 1,927 students in Spokane, WA. Financial aid reduces the effective four-year cost to $103,536 — 49% less than the list price.

See all programs and financial aid at Whitworth 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

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 Whitworth University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($78,417) Physics ($65,316) Economics ($63,134) Computer Science ($62,139) Accounting and Related Services ($61,021) Mathematics ($51,950) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($47,241) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($44,645)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

How does Whitworth University's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 33/100 — on the lower end for Communication and Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Communication and Media Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication and Media Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 55% 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 →