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Communication and Media Studies at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,002/yr (5% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #172 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	$506K	$505K	$469K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.0x	13.0x	12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.2x	6.2x	5.7x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	43	42	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)

$38,848

Out-of-state: $81,968 (6.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$65,724

-69% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,535

5.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$49,311

33% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,002/yr, edging above the $35,147 national average for Communication and Media Studies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 13.0x 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.

At $17,535 in median debt against $37,002 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #172 out of 613 programs, University of Colorado Colorado Springs's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $37,002 to $49,311 shows 33% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Colorado Colorado Springs

University of Colorado Colorado Springs has a 97% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 8,870 in Colorado Springs, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Colorado Colorado Springs →

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 of Colorado Colorado Springs

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Colorado Colorado Springs's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 42/100 — 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 →