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Communication and Media Studies at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
32 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
32
Base Case
27
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,951/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 15.5x earnings multiple (7.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #385 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

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 $419K $428K $414K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.2x 15.5x 15.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.6x 7.8x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 32 27

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,624
Out-of-state: $55,080 (7.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,388
-46% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,951/yr fall 18% below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 15.5x 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 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,500 debt-to-$28,951 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #385 out of 613 programs, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith has a 81% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a compact campus enrolling 4,133 students in Fort Smith, AR.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith →

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 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($69,618) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($58,380) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($54,484) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($51,896) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($40,565) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas ($40,525) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($39,057) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($33,460)

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 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 32/100 — 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.
Why are Communication and Media Studies earnings lower at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith?
Lower starting pay at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →