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Communication and Media Studies at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,420/yr (24% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 22.5x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #19 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 5%

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	$524K	$520K	$481K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	22.7x	22.5x	20.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.7x	7.6x	7.1x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	54	47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$23,144

Out-of-state: $68,160 (7.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,888

-193% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$26,988

7.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$53,962

24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Kennesaw State University's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $43,420/yr — above the $35,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.5x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,988 represents roughly 7 months of the $43,420 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #19 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $43,420 to $53,962 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University's 69% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, serving a student body of 39,503 in Kennesaw, GA.

See all programs and financial aid at Kennesaw 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

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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 Kennesaw State University?

A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Communication and Media Studies field.

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 $480,614 in decade earnings vs $524,333 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Kennesaw State University's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #19 of 613 programs nationally, Kennesaw State University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

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