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Communication and Media Studies at Saint Edward's University

Austin, TX · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $31,117/yr (-11% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 2.7x earnings multiple

Ranked #572 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	$554K	$546K	$499K
Earnings Multiple	2.7x	2.7x	2.4x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	23	23	17

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)

$205,536

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$94,544

54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,153

8.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,095

74% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Saint Edward's University's Communication and Media Studies program produces graduates earning $31,117/yr — within striking distance of the $35,147 national average for this field.

The financial case is thin at 2.7x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.

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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,153 represents roughly 9 months of the $31,117 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #572 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Saint Edward's University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $54,095 show a 74% jump from the $31,117 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Saint Edward's University

A 84% acceptance rate means Saint Edward's University is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 2,729 students in Austin, TX. The average net cost of $94,544 over four years represents a 54% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Saint Edward's 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 Saint Edward's 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Saint Edward's University?

A score of 23/100 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 $499,488 in decade earnings vs $554,381 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Is Saint Edward's University a hidden gem for Communication and Media Studies?

After financial aid, the average student pays $94,544 over four years — 54% below the $205,536 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.

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