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Communication and Media Studies at Boise State University

Boise, ID · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,954/yr (8% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 15.2x earnings multiple (5.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #78 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	$540K	$534K	$491K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.4x	15.2x	14.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.0x	5.0x	4.5x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	48	48	40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$35,128

Out-of-state: $107,904 (5.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$76,728

-118% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$20,500

6.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,946

45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,954 at Boise State University come in 8% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

The 15.2x 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 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $20,500 debt-to-$37,954 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #78 out of 613 programs, Boise State University's Communication and Media Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $37,954 to $54,946 shows 45% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Boise State University

Boise State University accepts 84% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 17,081 in Boise, ID.

See all programs and financial aid at Boise State 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 Boise State University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Boise State University's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 48/100 — 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 Boise State University rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?

The #78 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 →