Communication and Media Studies at Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
25
Pessimistic
Earnings $30,927/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 13.2x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #408 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 $444K $450K $430K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.0x 13.2x 12.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.6x 7.8x 7.4x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 31 31 25

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$34,032
Out-of-state: $58,008 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$48,684
-43% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,500
9.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,352
21% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,927/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication and Media Studies programs nationally.

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 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,500 represents roughly 9 months of the $30,927 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #408 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Arkansas Tech University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $30,927 to $37,352 over five years — a 21% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 5,993 in Russellville, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at Arkansas Tech 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 Arkansas Tech 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 Arkansas Tech University?
A score of 31/100 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 $429,846 in decade earnings vs $443,509 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →