Communication Disordersat Appalachian State University
Graduates earn $12,383/yr in their first year — about 51.0% below the national Communication Disorders average. Base-case 10-year earnings $941K; scenarios range from $775K to $946K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Appalachian State University
Your outcomes in Communication Disorders Sciences and Services are heavily influenced by your post-bachelor's path. This undergraduate degree primarily serves as a prerequisite for graduate studies in speech-language pathology or audiology, which are essential for licensure in the highest-paying roles. The data likely reflects students entering support positions or those still pursuing their master's or doctorate. App State's program, located in a more rural area like Boone, prepares you well, but many graduates will need to pursue advanced degrees in larger markets for optimal career progression. The high AI risk might pertain more to administrative or basic support tasks within the field, rather than the core diagnostic and therapeutic work of licensed professionals. Therefore, view this bachelor's as a crucial stepping stone; thoroughly research graduate programs and their specific career outcomes before committing.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Appalachian State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Communication Disorders
How Appalachian State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Appalachian State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Appalachian State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Communication Disorders offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Communication Disorders trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Communication Disorders at Appalachian State University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication Disorders at Appalachian State University?
A score of 37/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Communication Disorders. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Is Communication Disorders at Appalachian State University worth the student debt?
Median debt of $17,750 against $12,383/yr starting salary means roughly 1.4 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.
Will AI replace Communication Disorders careers?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $774,632 in decade earnings vs $945,511 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Communication Disorders from Appalachian 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.