Communication and Media Studies at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
58
Optimistic
57
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,790/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 20.7x earnings multiple (8.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #6 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 1%

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 $633K $615K $549K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.3x 20.7x 18.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 8.0x 7.1x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 58 57 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,696
Out-of-state: $77,216 (8.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,528
-74% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,703
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,437
70% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

San Francisco State University's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $40,790/yr — above the $35,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication and Media Studies programs nationally.

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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,703 in median debt clears quickly against $40,790 in annual earnings.

Ranked #6 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs nationally, San Francisco State University sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $69,437 show a 70% jump from the $40,790 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About San Francisco State University

A 96% acceptance rate means San Francisco State University is accessible to most applicants, with 20,033 students enrolled in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco 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

Compare Communication and Media Studies

Other Majors at San Francisco 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at San Francisco State University?
A score of 57/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Communication and Media Studies field.
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 $549,007 in decade earnings vs $633,223 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes San Francisco State University's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?
Ranked #6 of 613 programs nationally, San Francisco State University lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →