Communication and Media Studies at Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
37
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,192/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
15.3x earnings multiple (8.6x out-of-state)
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 | $473K | $476K | $448K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 15.2x | 15.3x | 14.5x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 8.6x | 8.6x | 8.1x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 45 | 44 | 37 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,016
Out-of-state: $55,304 (8.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,250
6.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,327
10% growth from Year 1
About Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University's 70% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, enrolling 7,994 students in Jonesboro, AR.
See all programs and financial aid at Arkansas State University →Top Career Paths
Public relations managers
$138,520/yr
Fundraising managers
$123,480/yr
Communications teachers, postsecondary
$77,800/yr
Compare & Explore
Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools
Other Majors at Arkansas State University
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 Arkansas State University?
A score of 44/100 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 $448,344 in decade earnings vs $472,958 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Arkansas State University's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?
Ranked #129 of 613 programs nationally, Arkansas State University lands in the top 25%. 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 →