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Communication and Media Studies at Auburn University

Auburn, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
46
Base Case
39
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,929/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (4.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #106 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 25%

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 $600K $586K $528K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.0x 11.7x 10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.3x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 46 46 39

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$50,144
Out-of-state: $135,776 (4.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$95,588
-91% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,625
6.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,643
74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,929/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 11.7x 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 — 55% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $18,625 debt-to-$35,929 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #106 out of 613 programs, Auburn University's Communication and Media Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $35,929 to $62,643 over five years (74% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Auburn University

A 50% admission rate makes Auburn University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 25,732 students enrolled in Auburn, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at Auburn 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 Auburn University

Chemical Engineering ($82,217) Computer Engineering ($80,067) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,680) Architectural Engineering ($77,115) Mechanical Engineering ($74,005) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($72,440) Industrial Engineering ($71,063) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($68,607)

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

How does Auburn University's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 46/100 — 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.
Why does Auburn University rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?
The #106 ranking out of 613 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →