Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $36,569 track close to the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
At 9.7x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.
AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $20,500 debt-to-$36,569 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
Ranked #261 out of 613 programs, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville'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 $36,569 to $48,374 shows 32% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.