Communication and Media Studies at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

Portales, NM · Public · Bachelor's Degree
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
35
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,674/yr (-4% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)
ROI 17.9x earnings multiple (13.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #209 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 $492K $492K $460K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.9x 17.9x 16.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.9x 13.9x 13.0x
Probability of Field Employment 46% 40% 29%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 35

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,452
Out-of-state: $35,372 (13.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$24,796
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,858
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,067
37% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $33,674/yr, Communication and Media Studies graduates from Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus land near the $35,147 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.9x 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 6% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $18,858 represents roughly 7 months of the $33,674 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #209 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs, Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $33,674 to $46,067 over five years — a 37% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus accepts 55% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 3,186 students in Portales, NM.

See all programs and financial aid at Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus →

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 Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

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 Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus?
A score of 41/100 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 $460,350 in decade earnings vs $492,070 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →