Home › Towson University › Communication and Media Studies

Communication and Media Studies at Towson University

Towson, MD · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $42,657/yr (21% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #24 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 5%

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	$589K	$576K	$521K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.0x	12.7x	11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.2x	5.1x	4.6x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	53	53	45

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$45,224

Out-of-state: $113,304 (5.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,164

-49% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,989

5.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,882

50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $42,657 at Towson University come in 21% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.7x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $42,657 far exceeding the $17,989 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #24 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $42,657 to $63,882 over five years — a 50% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Towson University

Towson University accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 16,400 in Towson, MD.

See all programs and financial aid at Towson 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

Other Majors at Towson University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Towson University?

A score of 53/100 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 $520,936 in decade earnings vs $588,529 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Towson University's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #24 of 613 programs nationally, Towson University lands in the top 5%. 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 →