Communication and Media Studies at California State University-Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
53
Optimistic
52
Base Case
45
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,109/yr (14% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
19.7x earnings multiple (7.2x 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 | $543K | $537K | $492K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 19.9x | 19.7x | 18.1x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.3x | 7.2x | 6.6x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 53 | 52 | 45 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,268
Out-of-state: $74,788 (7.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,429
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,106
40% growth from Year 1
About California State University-Channel Islands
California State University-Channel Islands accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 5,230 students in Camarillo, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 47% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.
See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Channel Islands →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 California State University-Channel Islands
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 California State University-Channel Islands's Communication and Media Studies program score?
This program scores 52/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Communication and Media Studies graduates.
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 California State University-Channel Islands rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?
The #33 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 →