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Communications · Communication and Media Studies Rank #19 of 613

Communication and Media Studiesat Kennesaw State University

Graduates earn $43,420/yr in their first year — about 24.0% above the national Communication and Media Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $520K; scenarios range from $481K to $524K depending on AI disruption.

Kennesaw, GA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
54 AVERAGE
55
Optimistic
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,420
1-year post-graduation
ROI
22.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$520K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
54% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University's Communication and Media Studies graduates start at $43,420/yr — above the $35,147 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.5x 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 8% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $26,988 represents roughly 7 months of the $43,420 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #19 of 613 nationally, this is a top-5% Communication and Media Studies program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $43,420 to $53,962 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

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
$481K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple20.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$520K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple22.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$524K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple22.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Kennesaw State University'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 Kennesaw State University 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 Kennesaw State University

Other top programs at Kennesaw State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Kennesaw State University, 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 Kennesaw State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Communication and Media Studies at Kennesaw State University?

A score of 54/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Communication and Media Studies field.

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 $480,614 in decade earnings vs $524,333 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes Kennesaw State University's Communication and Media Studies program stand out?

Ranked #19 of 613 programs nationally, Kennesaw State University lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.