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Communication and Media Studies at Lander University

Greenwood, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,271/yr (-28% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 8.8x earnings multiple (4.8x out-of-state)

Ranked #526 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

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	$399K	$411K	$402K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.5x	8.8x	8.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.7x	4.8x	4.7x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	26	26	22

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$46,800

Out-of-state: $85,200 (4.8x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,004

-24% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,750

12.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,271 place Lander University below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

At 8.8x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the -1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $25,750 debt load exceeds a year of the $25,271 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

At #526 out of 613 programs, Lander University's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Lander University

A 68% admission rate makes Lander University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 3,384 students in Greenwood, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at Lander 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 Lander 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 Lander University's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 26/100 — on the lower end for Communication and Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Do Lander University Communication and Media Studies graduates earn enough to justify the loans?

The debt-to-income ratio of 1.0x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.

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.

Why are Communication and Media Studies earnings lower at Lander University?

Lower starting pay at Lander University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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