Communication and Media Studies at Charleston Southern University

Charleston, SC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree
26 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
26
Optimistic
26
Base Case
19
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,518/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 3.8x earnings multiple
Ranked #525 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs

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 $465K $469K $444K
Earnings Multiple 3.7x 3.8x 3.6x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 26 26 19

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$124,120
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$87,820
29% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,375
8.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,645
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $33,518/yr, roughly in line with the $35,147 national median for Communication and Media Studies. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

An earnings multiple of 3.8x 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 5% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,375 represents roughly 9 months of the $33,518 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #525 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Charleston Southern University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $33,518 to $41,645 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University accepts 76% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 2,716 in Charleston, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at Charleston Southern 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 Charleston Southern 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 Charleston Southern University?
A score of 26/100 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 $443,504 in decade earnings vs $465,251 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →