Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
42
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $22,378/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Large (41,400 openings/yr)
ROI 28.5x earnings multiple (11.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs Top 10%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Communication Disorders Sciences and Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $950K $946K $778K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 28.7x 28.5x 23.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.8x 11.7x 9.6x
Probability of Field Employment 61% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 42 43

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,160
Out-of-state: $80,680 (11.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,696
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,000
7.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,255
236% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $22,378 track close to the $25,392 national median for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 28.5x 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 — 46% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $14,000 debt-to-$22,378 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

A #6 ranking out of 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs nationally puts San Diego State University in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth from $22,378 to $75,255 over five years (236% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About San Diego State University

San Diego State University admits 34% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, serving a student body of 33,654 in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at San Diego State University →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Speech-language pathologists $95,410/yr
Audiologists $92,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Diego 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 San Diego State University's Communication Disorders Sciences and Services program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Communication Disorders Sciences and Services to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication Disorders Sciences and Services careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →