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Communication and Media Studies at California State University-Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
37 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
37
Base Case
31
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,015/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 16.2x earnings multiple (6.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #275 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 $452K $457K $435K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.0x 16.2x 15.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 6.0x 5.7x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 37 31

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,256
Out-of-state: $75,776 (6.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$14,636
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,157
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,450
16% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $34,015/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Communication and Media Studies programs nationally.

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 4% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $17,157 represents roughly 6 months of the $34,015 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #275 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, California State University-Dominguez Hills scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $39,450 are relatively flat compared to the $34,015 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About California State University-Dominguez Hills

California State University-Dominguez Hills accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 12,642 students in Carson, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 61% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity. After financial aid, the average student pays $14,636 over four years — 48% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Dominguez Hills →

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

Compare this program → View all 613 schools offering Communication and Media Studies →

Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($62,183) Cornell University ($62,182) Ashford University ($58,089) CUNY Graduate School and University Center ($57,782) Boston College ($55,162) University of Maryland Global Campus ($53,513) University of Pennsylvania ($53,022) Villanova University ($52,294)

Other Majors at California State University-Dominguez Hills

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($110,626) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($49,916) Public Administration ($45,471) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($44,584) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($44,374) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($43,905) Community Organization and Advocacy ($41,991) Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication ($38,798)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 California State University-Dominguez Hills?
A score of 37/100 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 $435,116 in decade earnings vs $451,897 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →