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Communication and Media Studies at Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $25,728/yr (-27% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 12.0x earnings multiple (10.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #482 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	$494K	$494K	$461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.0x	12.0x	11.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	10.1x	10.1x	9.4x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	28	28	24

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$41,240

Out-of-state: $49,040 (10.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$47,528

-15% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,896

11.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$43,292

68% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $25,728/yr fall 27% below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 12.0x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,896 debt-to-$25,728 income ratio translates to about 11 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #482 out of 613 programs, Midwestern State University's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $25,728 to $43,292 over five years (68% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Midwestern State University

Midwestern State University has a 87% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,043 students in Wichita Falls, TX. With 40% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Midwestern 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

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Midwestern State 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 Midwestern State University's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 28/100 — on the lower end for Communication and Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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 Midwestern State University?

Lower starting pay at Midwestern State 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 →