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Communication and Media Studies at Virginia State University

Petersburg, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
29 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
30
Optimistic
29
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,897/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 13.3x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #460 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 $522K $518K $479K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.4x 13.3x 12.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.9x 5.9x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 30 29 26

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,020
Out-of-state: $88,024 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,212
-49% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$27,000
13.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,992
92% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $23,897/yr fall 32% below the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.3x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $27,000 against $23,897/yr in first-year earnings means roughly 1.1 years of salary goes to loan repayment. That's a heavy but not crushing debt load.

Ranked #460 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Virginia State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $45,992 show a 92% jump from the $23,897 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Virginia State University

Virginia State University has a 89% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 4,787 students in Petersburg, VA. Pell Grant recipients make up 71% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia State University →

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

Compare this program → View all 613 schools offering Communication and Media Studies →

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($62,183) Cornell University ($62,182) Ashford University ($58,089) CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($57,782) Boston College ($55,162) University of Maryland Global Campus ($53,513) University of Pennsylvania ($53,022) Villanova University ($52,294)

Other Majors at Virginia State University

Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians ($65,472) Accounting and Related Services ($46,688) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($35,746) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($34,877) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($34,604) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($30,480) Social Work ($28,527) Psychology, General ($28,513)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Virginia State University?
A score of 29/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Communication and Media Studies at Virginia State University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $27,000 against $23,897/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
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 $479,129 in decade earnings vs $521,967 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication and Media Studies from Virginia State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →