Program Analysis
At $40,429 per year, Communication and Media Studies graduates from Eastern Kentucky University earn slightly above the $35,147 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $22,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $40,429 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #221 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Eastern Kentucky University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $43,281 are relatively flat compared to the $40,429 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.