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Communication and Media Studies at Weber State University

Ogden, UT · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $43,209/yr (23% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 20.7x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #15 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 5%

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	$535K	$529K	$487K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.9x	20.7x	19.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.8x	7.7x	7.1x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	55	54	47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$25,564

Out-of-state: $68,336 (7.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$42,888

-68% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,749

4.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,670

29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $43,209/yr, edging above the $35,147 national average for Communication and Media Studies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.7x 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.

At $16,749 in median debt against $43,209 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #15 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 $43,209 to $55,670 over five years — a 29% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Weber State University

enrolling 15,619 students in Ogden, UT.

See all programs and financial aid at Weber 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 →

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Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Weber State University?

A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Communication and Media Studies field.

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 $487,248 in decade earnings vs $534,895 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Weber State University's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #15 of 613 programs nationally, Weber State University lands in the top 5%. 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 →