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Communication and Media Studies at University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $39,226/yr (12% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 12.6x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #102 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 25%

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	$552K	$544K	$498K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.8x	12.6x	11.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.5x	4.4x	4.1x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	48	47	40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$43,128

Out-of-state: $122,288 (4.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$81,880

-90% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,500

6.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$57,140

46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $39,226/yr, edging above the $35,147 national average for Communication and Media Studies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.6x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,500 in median debt against $39,226 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #102 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 $39,226 to $57,140 over five years — a 46% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University at Buffalo

With a 69% acceptance rate, University at Buffalo is moderately selective, with 20,284 students enrolled in Buffalo, NY.

See all programs and financial aid at University at Buffalo →

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 University at Buffalo

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 University at Buffalo?

A score of 47/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

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 $497,910 in decade earnings vs $551,871 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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

Ranked #102 of 613 programs nationally, University at Buffalo lands in the top 25%. 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 →