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Communication and Media Studies at University of South Alabama

Mobile, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $30,153/yr (-14% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 12.9x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #329 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	$500K	$499K	$466K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	12.9x	12.9x	12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.7x	6.7x	6.2x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	34	34	29

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$38,704

Out-of-state: $74,608 (6.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$60,568

-56% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,870

9.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$46,121

53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $30,153/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.9x 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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,870 represents roughly 10 months of the $30,153 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #329 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, University of South Alabama falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $46,121 show a 53% jump from the $30,153 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of South Alabama

A 65% admission rate makes University of South Alabama accessible to a wide range of qualified students, enrolling 8,540 students in Mobile, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Alabama →

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 South Alabama

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 of South Alabama?

A score of 34/100 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 $465,575 in decade earnings vs $500,390 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →