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Communication and Media Studies at University of South Dakota

Vermillion, SD · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $35,792/yr (2% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 13.9x earnings multiple (10.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #150 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	$528K	$523K	$483K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	14.0x	13.9x	12.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	10.2x	10.1x	9.3x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	44	44	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)

$37,728

Out-of-state: $51,768 (10.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$76,620

-103% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,625

7.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$52,291

46% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $35,792/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 13.9x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,625 represents roughly 8 months of the $35,792 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #150 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 $35,792 to $52,291 over five years — a 46% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About University of South Dakota

University of South Dakota accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 5,239 in Vermillion, SD.

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at University of South Dakota?

A score of 44/100 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 $482,804 in decade earnings vs $527,817 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes University of South Dakota's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #150 of 613 programs nationally, University of South Dakota 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 →