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Communication and Media Studies at Indiana University-Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $39,775/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #175 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 $489K $489K $458K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.7x 11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.6x 3.4x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 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)
$41,796
Out-of-state: $134,868 (3.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,632
-9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,443
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,095
18% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Indiana University-Indianapolis's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $39,775/yr — above the $35,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.7x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,443 in median debt clears quickly against $39,775 in annual earnings.

At #175 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Indiana University-Indianapolis scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $47,095 are relatively flat compared to the $39,775 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Indiana University-Indianapolis

A 81% acceptance rate means Indiana University-Indianapolis is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 16,582 students in Indianapolis, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Indiana University-Indianapolis →

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 Indiana University-Indianapolis

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($73,122) Computer Engineering ($71,986) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($71,852) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($71,505) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($70,887) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($70,833) Mechanical Engineering ($69,746) Engineering, Other ($69,685)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Indiana University-Indianapolis?
A score of 42/100 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 $458,396 in decade earnings vs $488,960 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →