Communication and Media Studies at Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
41
Optimistic
40
Base Case
33
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,429/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk
High (55% exposed)
Job Market
Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI
11.6x earnings multiple (5.6x 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 | $467K | $470K | $445K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 11.5x | 11.6x | 11.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.6x | 5.6x | 5.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 46% | 40% | 29% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 41 | 40 | 33 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,520
Out-of-state: $83,280 (5.6x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,000
6.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,281
7% growth from Year 1
About Eastern Kentucky University
With 78% of applicants admitted, Eastern Kentucky University prioritizes broad access, serving 11,674 students in Richmond, KY.
See all programs and financial aid at Eastern Kentucky University →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 Eastern Kentucky University
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 Eastern Kentucky University?
A score of 40/100 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 $444,639 in decade earnings vs $467,058 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →