Communication and Media Studies at Clayton State University

Morrow, GA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
41
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,493/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 22.6x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #201 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 50%

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 $454K $459K $436K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.4x 22.6x 21.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.2x 7.3x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 41 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$20,272
Out-of-state: $63,160 (7.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,580
-100% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,000
10.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,837
15% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $34,493 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.

The 22.6x 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 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $29,000 debt-to-$34,493 income ratio translates to about 10 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #201 out of 613 programs, Clayton State University's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $34,493 to $39,837 over five years (15% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Clayton State University

Clayton State University has a 71% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,390 students in Morrow, GA. Pell Grant recipients make up 52% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Clayton 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 Clayton 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 Clayton State University's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 41/100 — 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 →