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Communication and Media Studies at Indiana University-East

Richmond, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $37,463/yr (7% vs median)

AI Risk High (55% exposed)

Job Market Large (83,300 openings/yr)

ROI 15.3x earnings multiple (5.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #134 of 613 Communication and Media Studies programs Top 25%

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	$500K	$499K	$466K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	15.3x	15.3x	14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.7x	5.7x	5.3x
Probability of Field Employment	46%	40%	29%
DegreeOutlook Score	45	44	37

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$32,716

Out-of-state: $88,172 (5.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$36,328

-11% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$12,076

3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$48,478

29% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,463 at Indiana University-East come in 7% above the national median of $35,147 for Communication and Media Studies programs.

The 15.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 55% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $37,463 far exceeding the $12,076 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #134 out of 613 programs, Indiana University-East's Communication and Media Studies program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $37,463 to $48,478 shows 29% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Indiana University-East

Indiana University-East accepts 71% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 2,446 in Richmond, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Indiana University-East →

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 Indiana University-East

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

How does Indiana University-East's Communication and Media Studies program score?

This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Communication and Media Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

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 Indiana University-East rank so high for Communication and Media Studies?

The #134 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.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →