Communication and Media Studies at Boise State University
Boise, ID · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
48
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings
$37,954/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
15.2x earnings multiple (5.0x 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 | $540K | $534K | $491K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 15.4x | 15.2x | 14.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.0x | 5.0x | 4.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 48 | 48 | 40 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,128
Out-of-state: $107,904 (5.0x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,946
45% growth from Year 1
About Boise State University
Boise State University accepts 84% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 17,081 in Boise, ID.
See all programs and financial aid at Boise 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 Boise 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
How does Boise State University's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 48/100 — 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.
Why does Boise State University rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?
The #78 ranking out of 613 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →