Communication and Media Studies at Wright State University-Main Campus

Dayton, OH · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,171/yr (-6% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 11.4x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #287 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 $515K $512K $475K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.4x 10.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.2x 6.2x 5.8x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,752
Out-of-state: $82,424 (6.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,864
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
8.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,425
49% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,171/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 11.4x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,250 debt-to-$33,171 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #287 out of 613 programs, Wright State University-Main Campus's Communication and Media Studies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $33,171 to $49,425 shows 49% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Wright State University-Main Campus

Wright State University-Main Campus accepts 95% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 6,330 students in Dayton, OH.

See all programs and financial aid at Wright State University-Main Campus →

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 Wright State University-Main Campus

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

How does Wright State University-Main Campus's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 37/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →