Communication and Media Studies at California Baptist University

Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
40 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,300/yr (20% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.7x earnings multiple
Ranked #218 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 $596K $583K $526K
Earnings Multiple 3.8x 3.7x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 41 40 33

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$158,880
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$109,536
31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
7.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$64,872
53% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $42,300/yr, edging above the $35,147 national average for Communication and Media Studies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

An earnings multiple of 3.7x means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition, but not by a dramatic margin. Returns are positive but modest.

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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,000 represents roughly 7 months of the $42,300 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #218 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, California Baptist University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $64,872 show a 53% jump from the $42,300 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California Baptist University

California Baptist University has a 74% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 7,914 in Riverside, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. After financial aid, the average student pays $109,536 over four years — 31% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California Baptist 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 →

Compare & Explore

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at California Baptist University

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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at California Baptist University?
A score of 40/100 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 $525,730 in decade earnings vs $596,159 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →