Communication and Media Studies at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, PA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
39
Base Case
32
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,840/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.7x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #253 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 50%

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 $493K $493K $461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.7x 11.7x 11.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.4x 7.9x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 39 32

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$42,028
Out-of-state: $58,460 (8.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$78,096
-86% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
8.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,911
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,840/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 11.7x 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 $25,000 debt-to-$35,840 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #253 out of 613 programs, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,840 to $46,911 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania accepts 75% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 6,728 students in Slippery Rock, PA.

See all programs and financial aid at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania →

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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 39/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →