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Communication and Media Studies at University of Houston-Clear Lake

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $28,566/yr (-19% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 18.4x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #186 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	$581K	$570K	$516K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.8x	18.4x	16.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.8x	6.7x	6.1x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	42	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$30,984

Out-of-state: $85,320 (6.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$44,224

-43% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$17,984

7.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$56,106

96% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Houston-Clear Lake's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $28,566/yr, trailing the $35,147 national average by 19%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 18.4x 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 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $17,984 debt-to-$28,566 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #186 out of 613 programs, University of Houston-Clear Lake's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $28,566 to $56,106 over five years (96% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Houston-Clear Lake

A 75% acceptance rate means University of Houston-Clear Lake is accessible to most applicants, serving 6,082 students in Houston, TX. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Houston-Clear Lake →

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 Houston-Clear Lake

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

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 Houston-Clear Lake'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.

Why are Communication and Media Studies earnings lower at University of Houston-Clear Lake?

Lower starting pay at University of Houston-Clear Lake 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 →