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Communication and Media Studies at University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $29,059/yr (-17% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 13.5x earnings multiple (6.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #262 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	$556K	$548K	$501K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.7x	13.5x	12.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.2x	6.1x	5.5x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	38	33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$40,544

Out-of-state: $90,292 (6.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$50,484

-25% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,810

6.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$53,266

83% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $29,059 per year, Communication and Media Studies graduates from University of Southern Indiana earn below the $35,147 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 13.5x 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 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $16,810 debt-to-$29,059 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #262 out of 613 programs, University of Southern Indiana's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $29,059 to $53,266 over five years (83% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About University of Southern Indiana

With 95% of applicants admitted, University of Southern Indiana prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 5,344 in Evansville, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Southern Indiana →

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 Southern Indiana

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Southern Indiana's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 38/100 — 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 Southern Indiana?

Lower starting pay at University of Southern Indiana 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 →