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Communication and Media Studies at Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,320/yr (32% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 14.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #14 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 $556K $548K $501K
Earnings Multiple 14.2x 14.0x 12.8x
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 (Sticker)
$39,120
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$76,724
-96% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,364
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,038
30% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Metropolitan State University's Communication and Media Studies program earn $46,320/yr in their first year — 32% above the $35,147 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 14.0x 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 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $20,364 in median debt against $46,320 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #14 out of 613 programs, Metropolitan State University's Communication and Media Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $46,320 to $60,038 shows 30% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,998 students in Saint Paul, MN. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Metropolitan 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

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)

Compare Communication and Media Studies

Metropolitan State University vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo → Metropolitan State University vs CUNY Graduate School and University Center → Metropolitan State University vs University of Maryland Global Campus →

Other Majors at Metropolitan State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($77,421) Computer Science ($72,865) Information Science/Studies ($64,382) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($60,849) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($59,158) Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions ($56,516) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($56,314) Accounting and Related Services ($54,137)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Metropolitan State University's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 54/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies graduates.
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 does Metropolitan State University rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?
The #14 ranking out of 613 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →