Communication and Media Studies at California State University-Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
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)
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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,157
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,450
16% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Communication and Media Studies at Other Schools
Other Majors at California State University-Dominguez Hills
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 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 →