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Communication and Media Studies at The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree
51 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
52
Optimistic
51
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,203/yr (31% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 12.2x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #42 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 10%

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 $537K $531K $489K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.3x 12.2x 11.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.7x 5.3x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 52 51 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)
$43,616
Out-of-state: $92,848 (5.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$36,576
16% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,515
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,760
23% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $46,203 per year, Communication and Media Studies graduates from The University of Texas Permian Basin significantly outpace the $35,147 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 12.2x 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 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $17,515 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #42 ranking out of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs nationally puts The University of Texas Permian Basin in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $46,203 to $56,760 shows 23% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About The University of Texas Permian Basin

With 84% of applicants admitted, The University of Texas Permian Basin prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 4,122 students in Odessa, TX.

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

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

Compare this program → View all 613 schools offering Communication and Media Studies →

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($62,183) Cornell University ($62,182) Ashford University ($58,089) CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($57,782) Boston College ($55,162) University of Maryland Global Campus ($53,513) University of Pennsylvania ($53,022) Villanova University ($52,294)

Other Majors at The University of Texas Permian Basin

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($71,681) Mechanical Engineering ($65,167) Petroleum Engineering ($61,299) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($51,109) Psychology, General ($46,009)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Permian Basin's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies graduates.
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 →