Home Schools Colorado State University Global Communication and Media Studies
Communications · Communication and Media Studies Rank #2 of 613

Communication and Media Studiesat Colorado State University Global

Graduates earn $49,436/yr in their first year — about 41.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $633K; scenarios range from $562K to $654K depending on AI disruption.

Aurora, CO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
62 SOLID
63
Optimistic
55
Pessimistic
Earnings
$49,436
1-year post-graduation
ROI
21.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$633K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Colorado State University Global

While the high earnings for a Communication degree might seem surprising, CSU Global's unique structure is the key. As a fully online university designed for working adults, many of your classmates won't be traditional 18-year-olds. They're often established professionals seeking a credential to move into management or specialize their skills. This means you're graduating from a program geared toward immediate career application, not abstract theory. Graduates leverage this practical focus to land roles in corporate communications, public relations, and digital marketing within the dynamic Denver-area tech and aerospace sectors, or in their own local markets. To maximize this degree's value, your crucial step is to actively build a professional portfolio throughout your studies—think freelance writing, managing a non-profit's social media, or creating a polished website—to demonstrate tangible skills beyond the diploma.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$562K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple16.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$633K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple18.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$654K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score63/100
Earnings Multiple19.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Colorado State University Global's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Communication and Media Studies graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Public relations managers
+5.0% 10-yr growth · 6,600 openings/yr
$138,520/yr
High
2
Fundraising managers
+4.2% 10-yr growth · 3,600 openings/yr
$123,480/yr
High
3
Communications teachers, postsecondary
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$77,800/yr
Moderate
4
Editors
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 9,800 openings/yr
$75,260/yr
High
5
Writers and authors
+3.6% 10-yr growth · 13,400 openings/yr
$72,270/yr
Very High
6
Media and communication workers, all other
+2.7% 10-yr growth · 3,000 openings/yr
$71,770/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Communication and Media Studies

How Colorado State University Global stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
CA · Public
61
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
14.1x
ROI
Cornell University
NY · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$62K
1-yr earn
2.4x
ROI
Ashford University
CA · Private for-profit
47
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
8.2x
ROI
CUNY Graduate School and University Center
NY · Public
61
DW Score
$58K
1-yr earn
19.7x
ROI
Boston College
MA · Private nonprofit
46
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Also at Colorado State University Global

Other top programs at Colorado State University Global

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Colorado State University Global, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Communication and Media Studies offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Communication and Media Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Communication and Media Studies at Colorado State University Global

How does Colorado State University Global's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 62/100, 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 Colorado State University Global rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?

The #2 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.