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Communication and Media Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,848/yr (25% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 10.6x earnings multiple (2.9x out-of-state)

Ranked #167 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	$497K	$497K	$464K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.6x	10.6x	9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	2.9x	2.9x	2.7x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	44	43	35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$46,712

Out-of-state: $171,112 (2.9x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$78,712

-69% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

5.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,848 at The University of Texas at Austin come in 25% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

The 10.6x 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.

With first-year pay of $43,848 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #167 out of 613 programs, The University of Texas at Austin's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

About The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin accepts 29% of applicants — selective, though not ultra-competitive, with 42,100 students enrolled in Austin, TX.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas at Austin →

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 The University of Texas at Austin

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 The University of Texas at Austin's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 43/100 — 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 →