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Communication and Media Studies at California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $34,120/yr (-3% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 20.5x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #59 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 10%

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	$594K	$581K	$525K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	21.0x	20.5x	18.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.8x	7.7x	6.9x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	50	49	43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,292

Out-of-state: $75,812 (7.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$22,584

20% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,000

4.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$60,920

79% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,120 track close to the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.5x 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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

At $13,000 in median debt against $34,120 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #59 of 613 programs, California State University-Fullerton's Communication and Media Studies program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $60,920 show a 79% jump from the $34,120 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Fullerton

California State University-Fullerton has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 36,956 in Fullerton, CA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fullerton →

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 California State University-Fullerton

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at California State University-Fullerton?

A score of 49/100 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 $524,613 in decade earnings vs $594,381 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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