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Communication and Media Studies at Wayne State University

Detroit, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,595/yr (4% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 8.6x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #318 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	$488K	$489K	$458K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.5x	8.6x	8.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.0x	4.0x	3.8x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	36	35	28

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$57,188

Out-of-state: $121,676 (4.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,092

-3% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$25,000

8.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$46,281

26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $36,595/yr, Communication and Media Studies graduates from Wayne State University land near the $35,147 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.6x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $36,595 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #318 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Wayne State University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $36,595 to $46,281 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Wayne State University

With 82% of applicants admitted, Wayne State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 15,676 students in Detroit, MI. With 43% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Wayne 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

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wayne State University

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 Wayne State University?

A score of 35/100 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 $458,066 in decade earnings vs $488,433 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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